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Winners and losers from the health care summit

After spending our day watching the high-stakes or, at the very least, high-profile health care summit at Blair House, we came up with a list of our winners and losers from the proceedings.

Those who we think soared and bored are below. Have your own thoughts? The comments section is open for business.

WINNERS

Tom Coburn: The Oklahoma senator is among the most conservative voices in Congress but his remarks emerged as a -- rare -- rallying point during the day. Coburn's comments on the necessity of eliminating waste and fraud from the health care system drew nods from the president and kudos from a handful of Democratic and Republican politicians gathered at Blair House. In a room dominated by politicians trying to score political points or vamp for the cameras, Coburn stood out.

President Obama: Did the president solve the problem of passing a health care bill today? No. But, there was never a reasonable expectation on either side that he would. What Obama did do was paint himself -- for anyone who was watching -- as someone genuinely interested in compromise and genuinely interested in engaging with his Republican colleagues. (Whether that was a facade or the real thing remains a major point of debate between partisans.) Obama also didn't let Republicans run rough-shod over him either. He clashed with Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and John McCain (Ariz.) -- showing a feistiness (albeit a measured feistiness) that is likely to be well received by the party's base. Obama's performance saved, to our mind, what could have been a disastrous day for his party as he got relatively little help from his party's representatives in Congress throughout the day.

Process: While President Obama sought repeatedly to keep the focus on future-oriented policy solutions, the discussion repeatedly devolved into process. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) dedicated the majority of his remarks to detailing the deals cut during the health care debate while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) spent much of his time defending the idea of reconciliation to pass major measures of the bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) even brought process to the Blair House discussion -- noting that Democrats had been given more time to talk than Republicans. (Obama shot back that he had not counted to his own speaking time in the total since he is the president.) The more process coverage, the worse for Democrats who have been hamstrung to date by the focus on how the bill becomes a law rather than the policy guts of the proposal.

Paul Ryan: Speaking of the Wisconsin Republican, it was clear that the president regards him as a serious thinker and adversary while his GOP colleagues often deferred to him on matters of health care and budget policy. Ryan helped burnish his credentials a rising star within the Republican party; he was partisan but drove his attacks using data rather than pure political rhetoric.

C-SPAN: What a day for the Fix's favorite television network. Full coverage of the summit as well as a flawless Internet feed for those not close to a television. Well done.

LOSERS

Harry Reid: Reid is the consummate behind the scenes player. And, today he reminded us again of why. Reid, who spoke within the summit's first hour, was extremely combative -- a tone that seemed out of step with the overall tenor of the meeting in which most attendees tried to pay at least lip service to the idea of bipartisanship before launching into the attacks. Not Reid. "Let's make sure we talk about facts," Reid scolded Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). Later, he interrupted Coburn and said the Oklahoma Senator was trying to "filibuster."

John McCain: From the start of his remarks around mid-day, McCain seemed on the verge of losing his temper and threw several rhetorical jabs (including one about Obama breaking his campaign promise about holding the health care hearings on C-SPAN) into his speech. ("We're not campaigning anymore," Obama shot back at McCain. "The election is over.") Later, McCain hit Obama again for the special carve out for Florida in the health care bill. Obama agreed with the McCain critique, a move that caught the Arizona Republican off guard and left him speechless. In truth, McCain's target audience today was not people in the room or the national media but rather conservative Republicans in his home state -- the people he needs to beat back a challenge from his ideological right from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth.

Genuine Discussion: With a few exceptions, the bulk of the summit -- not surprisingly -- was focused on the rehashing of talking points rather than a serious engagement on the issues. Obama repeatedly attempted to keep speakers (of both parties) on topic but the conversation felt like politicians talking at -- rather than to -- one another. The idea of a serious policy debate was probably sacrificed the moment the summit was televised. But, it was jarring to watch what was purported to be a discussion devolve into a series of (semi)connected stump speeches.

Public Option: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) were the only ones to mention the issue that dominated the health care debate for months on end last fall -- and that was in the context of it being sacrificed as a compromise to Republicans. And, as Fix colleague Alec MacGillis pointed out, Obama was very careful to emphasize that people shopping for coverage on the new health insurance exchanges he is proposing would be choosing only among 'private plans.'"

Cable Networks: With the exception of the Obama-McCain tête à têete, the day was largely devoid of the sort of made-for-TV moments that help drive ratings.

Thursday’s health care summit was what it was: an exercise in rhetoric. Republicans reprised their familiar routine of propaganda and political theater. Democrats dug in, sticking mostly to the same talking points they’ve been repeating for over a year now. And the President persistently attempted to bridge the gaps and break the deadlock between them, to no avail.

Unfortunately, it was obvious from Senator Lamar Alexander’s (R-TN) opening remarks onward that Republicans never intended to have a real conversation about health care. Rather than focusing on areas of potential agreement, like medical malpractice reform, the senator chose instead to misrepresent the facts about health insurance premiums.

Behind a facade of phony fiscal fortitude, the G.O.P. blindly obstructs legislation essential to our economic recovery, hoping that this cynical strategy will return them to power.

Moreover, by repeatedly refusing to engage in a serious exchange of ideas, Congressional Republicans fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth behind health care reform: that it is an economic and social necessity.

Thursday’s health care summit was what it was: an exercise in rhetoric. Republicans reprised their familiar routine of propaganda and political theater. Democrats dug in, sticking mostly to the same talking points they’ve been repeating for over a year now. And the President persistently attempted to bridge the gaps and break the deadlock between them, to no avail.

Unfortunately, it was obvious from Senator Lamar Alexander’s (R-TN) opening remarks onward that Republicans never intended to have a real conversation about health care. Rather than focusing on areas of potential agreement, like medical malpractice reform, the senator chose instead to misrepresent the facts about health insurance premiums.

Behind a facade of phony fiscal fortitude, the G.O.P. blindly obstructs legislation essential to our economic recovery, hoping that this cynical strategy will return them to power.

Moreover, by repeatedly refusing to engage in a serious exchange of ideas, Congressional Republicans fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth behind health care reform: that it is an economic and social necessity.

As a liberal leaning Independent, I was appalled and utterly disgusted at the level of ARROGANCE and NARCISSIM Obama showed throughout the entire 7 hours...it was embarrassing. The Republicans came off as much more informed about the bill than Obama and had better ideas for how to achieve this goal without putting additional taxes on an already OVERTAXED populace.

bama says the election is over so in other words he lied when he wass running and now he does what he wants where the people likes it or not . he thinks the people are to stupid to know what they want or need so he is going to have to tell them what they needs no matter what they say . hitler did the same

CC, agree on Sen. McCain being curiously stuck in campaign mode at the hc summit and unnecessarily pugilistic. No doubt he has J.D. Hayworth on the brain, and rightly. But he mustn't appear out of touch, and he seemed so at the meeting. Some Arizonans will have noticed.

Republicans lose because they were paraded and postured as being opposed to healthcare improvements, which is a falsehood.

The Democrats lose because most of them will be voted out of office.

The President loses because much of this bill (individal mandate, for example) will be stricken down as unconstitutional. Plus, he will be voted out of office after his first term, assuming he isn't impeached and removed from office.

The American people lose because the bill is costly, has "Big Brother" aspects to it, and is largely ineffective.

To the list of winners I add: Our American Democracy.
To flourish and be successful, democracy requires a lot of well-informed, focused civil discourse. That commodity has been in short supply for the past decade or longer. Until I watched this summit, all 7+hours of it, I never saw or heard any two of our esteemed legislators who held opposing views about some health care reform actually presenting, supporting, and discussing these views in the presence of one another.
I have see/heard many, in pairs or alone, going down their lists of talking points and buzz words. The GOP 'leaders' have been the most egregious at repeating the same little song and dance, theirs composed and choreographed for them by Frank Luntz. It goes 'la, la, la, scrap it and start over; la la la, massive government takeover; la la la 4700 pages long (point to, thump on a stack of documents); la la la, don't jam it down our throats, la la la, go SLOW and get it right.

Thanks you Mr. President, for facilitating a well-focused and fairly civil discussion with less BS-ing than ordinary. It clarified a lot, including who wants to work on Health care reform, and who wants to stall in hopes of being top dog after the next election.

I hope a reform bill is passed soon, by whatever legitimate means necessary. Not ruling out reconciliation if it comes to that.

"btw, I haven't seen any commentary on his remark that 30 Million people need healthcare. Doesn't the 30 Million number include illegal aliens? or as the left calls them, "undocumented immigrants". I thought this healthcare program would exclude such coverage."

It does. The 30 million people Obama said can not get health insurance now are all legal US residents. The number does not include illegal aliens, and illegal aliens are not covered under the bill.

still the R's act like somebody is trying to sneak this through. If they can't take the time to read the actual bills and discuss it intelligently (without political talking points) then they should not be in Washington.

Losers: The top two Repbulicans did not have a clue. McConnell spent his time with a stop watch and didn't add a thing. Boehner fired off a few talking points but overall could not intelligently discuss the bill. I love the "cram it through" talking point. We have only been working on health care for what--a year now. It has been on every cable show, newspaper, c-span, and others and still the R's act like somebody is trying to sneak this through. If they can't take the time to read the actual bills and discuss it intelligently (without political talking points) then they should not be in Washington.

He remains committed to "RAM" a program down the throats of Americans who stand resolutely opposed to his programs -- all of them -- because as he told Joe the Plumber, wealth redistribution is his objective. Healthcare is just one more brick in this pile.

Obama's arrogant professorial pedantry refutes any argument that he is qualified as a "leader". He employed the summmit as another "bully-pulpit" from which to lecture his critics (GOP and America).

Obama had the opportunity to raise his stature by simply taking "reconciliation" off the table and showing a willingness to compromise. His failure to restore the legislative process demonstrates his disdain for the Constitution and the vast majority of Americans.

The tete-a-tete with McCain exposes him as a petulant child, or is he a petulant spoiled child, who does not accept the give and take of "hardball politics". Obama should take a lesson from Dubya as to the art of accepting criticism gracefully.

McCain should have responded that if the campaign is over, when will he (and his staff) stop campaigning, and begin "leading".

btw, I haven't seen any commentary on his remark that 30 Million people need healthcare. Doesn't the 30 Million number include illegal aliens? or as the left calls them, "undocumented immigrants". I thought this healthcare program would exclude such coverage.

Obama's numbers for the cost of his program are "false", but he promotes them as if they are true ... and he never heard Rev. Wright speak out against America.

Thanks, mark_in_austin, and I know I've cited you as an intelligent, reasonable voice in the past.

Yes, I watched a few chunks of the summit. I felt that the President came off as the guy in charge, as we citizens should expect our president to do.

It's challenging to watch long-winded politicians, but being long of wind is vital for their political existence. They need the people back home to vote for them again.

37thand0street, I can't trust your opinion on Obama. You drink the proverbial FoxNews, Limbaugh kool-aid. You don't know any facts about Obama; you just hate that there's a Democrat in the White House.

HHHmmmm... I'm thinkin' maaybe there might have been some other losers not mentioned here. Like the guy that had a quad bypass and lost his job and went thru Cobra and his pension paying medfical bills and now he's been recommended for a heart transplant but has no insurance and a pre-exiasting condition. Naaaaaahhhhh, what am I thinking? The real losers here were the horsethieves (Congressmen) and skinaters who didn't stand out with their rhetoric.

HHHmmmm... I'm thinkin' maaybe there might have been some other losers not mentioned here. Like the guy that had a quad bypass and lost his job and went thru Cobra and his pension paying medfical bills and now he's been recommended for a heart transplant but has no insurance and a pre-exiasting condition. Naaaaaahhhhh, what am I thinking? The real losers here were the horsethieves (Congressmen) and skinaters who didn't stansd out with their rhetoric.

Some of us can read the Constitution and know the limits of the federal government.

==

as though simply reading a document written over two centuries ago in a language that has changed drastically since is enough to pass judgment on details of contemporary public policy all by itself.

This from the unemployed loser who believes a giant invisible spirit sneezed the universe into being during the time of Sumerian civilization. And who confidently asserts that the Tramp of the Tundra will be president in four years..

What we saw from the President was not leadership, it was a teacher's meeting. It was a pathetic example of his lack of leadership. He has no intention of making any comprimises and instead plans to slap the face of evey American. He was elected to lead not to be a totalitarian premiere. His leadership will eleiminate the Democrat party and they all seem willing to go down with the Titanic.
If he ignores Americans on this what else will he do. Tricks, bribes, backroom deals, eliminating rules, what's next?

In that room each and every person is insured by the government. Not one of them could be left in the cold to try and handle medical expenses. And each one of them makes far more money than the average American--even though they do not think it is enough. Philosophic common ground may be hard to find, but actually they share a lot, making those around the square an exception, rather than the rule.

Frankly, as a Republican, I thought the "Summit" was done very well by President Obama. AS a retired RN I have always felt the need for comprehensive insurance reform. The details will be difficult to work out but this summit showed who really is working to get insurance to so many Americans and who is simply obstructing. However, both sides had some great comments and it gives me hope that the bill can be improved and passed. But if my party takes time out and keeps on obstructing, they can look forward to losing moderates like me. Frankly, some of the vitriol from Republicans troubled me a lot. In fact, some plain old lies came out of their mouths.

President Obama was masterful and in complete control at all times. It is a pity when the President displays such complete grasping of the subject matter small minds call him arrogant. I think too many people only understand concepts when elected officials use Etch A Sketch terminology to make a point. What a pity.

The Obama you write about is not the Obama I saw. He was pompous, rude, arrogant, and lying. If the WP were the worthy paper of old, it would have pointed out that Obama knew very little of his bill, and the Republicans knew it all. WP is not interested in the truth only in appeasing the left and its leader. What a ruse, what a shame.

The Obama you write about is not the Obama I saw. He was pompous, rude, arrogant, and lying. If the WP were the worthy paper of old, it would have pointed out that Obama knew very little of his bill, and the Republicans knew it all. WP is not interested in the truth only in appeasing the left and its leader. What a ruse, what a shame.

To the likes of you that's bashing Obamacare, If you were one of the many workers unemployed and cannot afford to keep your insurance coverage thru COBRA (even with the help provided)you would not be so high on your horse and talk as if you
would never need help. Just pray that you never get sick or get a catastrophic illness that would force you into bankruptcy.

Personally, I believe that America won today's debate. I believe this b/c with the public option off the table and completely out of the bill, people like me and moderates who don't want gov't. control of healthcare but does want healthcare prices to be affordable for Americans who use emergency rooms as a family doctor. Everyone needs health insurance so we, as Americans, don't have to continue paying these bills through our medical bills. This is an unfair event for every hard working American. I don't agree with the healthcare bill as it is presently written, but I do want some of these ideas that have been presented. Tom Coburn really did stand out yesterday along with Paul Ryan. I think Obama should scrap the healthcare plan up now and allow congress to add amendments, let people like Coburn & Ryan help write the bill and try to get enough bipartisan support to pass the bill for the good of the country. I think if Obama presses on without writing a real bill that is going to get bipartisan support to help America, this thing will again blow up in the Democrats and his face. I do think Obama can get a piece of legislation passed now if he works it right.

Another loser to add to the list is “patients.” The reality is that health insurance companies don’t make money off sick people, and therefore do not want to insure them. Competition in the insurance market isn’t going to make sick patients profitable. High-risk insurance pools will be unaffordable to most patients. Banning discrimination against pre-existing conditions and setting up exchanges and spreading the risk isn’t going to change the fact that insurance companies don’t make money off sick people. Insurance companies will continue adopt the same tactics they use today of denying coverage to their responsibilities to patients; Leaving patients without adequate coverage when they become sick.

Medical alerts:
Boehner needs to read that warning on his tanning bed and take it seriously. McConnell needs some hormone shots: he's looking womanly. Tranny process?
McCain's health was ruined during service to our country and we should all lay off that topic.

More partisan, liberal, inconsiderate and incredibly stupid actions on the part of Pelosi. Inviting just one of the 54 Blue Dog House representatives to the summit isn't going to help her pass any bill.

So drugs strike a chord with 37th. What a surprise. Probably been committed and medicated before, and now he's on SSI getting a nut check to pay the rent, nothing to do so he vents against authority figures all day.

I'm sure 37th knows better than to go anywhere near a mental health professional... he wouldn't leave through the same door he entered. Most barely functional people like him are aware of the danger in anyone qualified to diagnose. You can bet he stays away from hospitals and courts as urgently as he stays away from soap or dental floss.

There is no middle ground in the repulsive great white way. It is their way or nothing. Proven today by the actions and words of repulsives. Cantor, McCain, Kyl and others.

You really must take a government class or a legislation class. Find out how it all works. May help you.
If you can be helped.
Perhaps you should go to an ER and get checked !! Obama will pay for it, it's cool.

I don't buy the idea that voting for HCR will cost Democrats their seats. That's teabagger BS. That's the same thick-witted backlash crap that the goobs are always yelling about, along with abortion and the private sector. Reining in the insurance companies will have a lot of independents declaring as Democrats.

The only drug I know of that could account for 37th is PCP, and he would have to have done a LOT of it, and daily. Because hw seems to be mentally retarded, and PCP is the only one I know of that kills brain cells on that kind of quantity.

I'm really not interested in explaining Jim, stupid people are boring. He's a nonentity, a mumbler on a street corner with an eye that doesn't track and lots of scabs.

You might be right that the votes are not there. I'm just reporting what C. Matthews and now CNN are reporting.

Posted by: 12BarBlues

--------------------------

If this was the Democrats' plan from the start--to release Obama's amendments a couple days before the summit, hold the summit, and announce that evening that they are going to ram through the Senate bill in the House without amendments and then pass a few changes separately using reconciliation--then Pelosi is crazier than I gave her credit for.

Who knows? It might work. I'm not the Democratic House Whip, so I'm not beating on doors, rounding up votes. Maybe a few of those liberal representatives who defected on the first run did so only because they knew that their votes weren't needed for the bill to pass. Maybe they will come back and support the Senate bill, even though it doesn't have a public option. Maybe the Senate is promising a public option in reconciliation.

But if it does work, then a lot of Democrats are facing reelection debacles come November. And if they try this and still come up short a few votes, then heads will roll even before November. If Pelosi and Reid play this gambit and lose, it's really hard for me to see them keeping their jobs. I mean, they are risking backlash against Democrats from moderates and conservatives by even trying the reconciliation route, and they face backlash from liberals for failing. Like I said, if they want to hang their careers on one vote, more power to them, but they better be darned sure that they're going to come out ahead.

....."Obama would have a chance if they had the Stupak Amendment in the Senate bill - but they didn't do that."

earth to your brain. the thing you sit on.

The bill had the Stupak Amendment on it when it hit the Senate. It went through the House, voted on with the amendment. Went to Senate and what did they do - took it out. But of course you know everything and it's now Obama's fault that Senate voted the Stupak Amendment out.

Get your facts straight.
///

The 4 points that President Obama saw common ground on and would acquiesce to were:
--fraud
--ability to sue
--FLEX accounts
--expansion of community health centers

For 30 years, major changes to health care laws have passed via the budget reconciliation process. Here are a few examples:

1982 — TEFRA: The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act first opened Medicare to HMOs

1986 — COBRA: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act allowed people who were laid off to keep their health coverage, and stopped hospitals from dumping ER patients unable to pay for their care

Curious... is there anyone here, trolls aside, who doesn't thinknthat 37th us seriously suck in the head, and willing to defend that position? Didn't think so.

Anyone willing to speculate why Cillizza and the post allow him to go in flooding the blog with his mindless repetitive posts? That's the real question, especially knowing that others have been banned and blocked for nothing more than calling a racist by that designation.

Maybe I'd he wasn't so busy venting his idiot anger here he'd be out shooting up a schoolyard, that quintessentially American expression of anomie.

Obama would have a chance if they had the Stupak Amendment in the Senate bill - but they didn't do that.

The democrats basically insulted the Bishops by negotiating a deal with them, and then going back on their agreement.

Now they are stuck - it is a mess.

Obama needs the moderate democrats in the House.

Why should they allow Obama to drive their careers off a cliff ???? Why should they risk their careers - they should ask Obama to agree to resign if they lose their seats - put Obama on the line with them. Obama won't do that.

And the printers! I like how Kyl and Cantor had the bill--all printed and nice, right in front of them. Make it look like they have done their homework. Or to try and seemingly show they read it and know it.
WHAT A CROCK OF BU*L !!!! Such gimmicks don't work.

Chris Matthews says that the House will vote on the Senate bill, then use reconciliation to take care of the problem areas. Bing, bing, done.

Posted by: 12BarBlues

--------------------

Interesting plan, and it might be the best chance of getting anything that remotely looks like the current bills passed. However, I have my doubts that the Senate bill will pass in the House. The vote before was razor thin, and the Democrats who didn't like the House bill because it didn't do enough are less satisfied with the Senate bill. Meanwhile, Stupak and his pro-life Democrats are likely to back out. The lone Republican in the House who voted for the House bill isn't going to vote for the Senate bill either, I believe, and a death here and retirement there has put the Democrats down a couple members from the previous vote.

All in all, House Democrats are going to have to swing some of their defectors back to vote for this bill, but finding those votes is going to be very, very hard, especially with voters leaning heavily on Democrats in conservative-leaning districts. There aren't a lot of legislators so bold as to lose their jobs over one vote, and that's what this is shaping up to be for many of them.

In all honesty, despite the challenge of getting a Republican to defect in the Senate, I suspect that the House might prove the bigger challenge from here on out. ALL of them are up for reelection, and quite a few are freshmen who rode in on Obama's coattails (or on anti-Bush sentiment, if you prefer). Do you really think that the freshman representative from Idaho wants his House legacy to be a vote for health care and then immediate defeat and the ignominy of being a one-termer? All it takes are 20 or 30 representatives in the same boat, and the Senate bill will get nowhere.

Chris Matthews can bloviate all he wants, but I just don't see anyone with the political chops to corral that many votes at this moment. Reid himself is likely to lose reelection, which makes him less powerful as a Senate majority leader, and Pelosi has proven fairly divisive. I don't think Democrats have the numbers to pass anything alone right now, at least not without three or four Republican votes to give their uneasy members cover.

Do you ever wonder why most posters ignore you? Do you ever think it might be your bumper sticker rhetoric? Could it be your hysterics and exaggeration? You remind me of one of those guys standing on the street corner with a sandwich sign predicting the end of the world. I have NO interest in interacting with someone who is so paranoid, no matter how sincere you might be about your fears.

From CNN: On the process, Democratic aides said they are consulting with the parliamentarians in the House and the Senate on what is possible. The general idea is for the House to pass the health bill that already has been approved by the Senate, and for a package of changes that mirror the president's plan to be passed through both chambers under reconciliation rules.

Do you know the difference between facts and opinion? You give the impression you do not. How can someone "lie" about opinion?

Chris Matthews is saying that the Congress is going to do this 2 step strategy. Clyburn seemed to confirm this as the strategy.

You might not like it, you might not think it fits into your view of the world-as-it-should-be, you might not think that Obama-as-a-cracked-up-troublemaker deserves it, but the world does not run for your personal benefit.

1) Obama has been leading the health care all along, only not that well

2) Obama and Pelosi do not have the moderate democrats in the House - Obama dumped the Stupak Amendment - which means a loss of another 30 votes - what part of that do you not understand ?

Next, the reconciliation in the Senate is only for budgetary items - the bill is going to get sliced apart - and is just isn't practical. They have to be bluffing because it is just ridiculous to do it that way.

3) The Republicans looked good today - Boehner said that there was a bill that everyone could agree on - and Obama almost bit his head off. Obama offered no compromise in the middle ground. You are simply lying.

I didn't watch the event, and CC is my preferred provider of information about what happened.

"it was jarring to watch what was purported to be a discussion devolve into a series of (semi)connected stump speeches."

Just like every Senate Judiciary Committee Supreme Court nomination hearing since I don't know when.

When they know the cameras are rolling, what little sincerity lurks in these peoples' souls is out the window, explosively displaced by the sudden inflation of the inner gasbag. It's amazing no one gets hurt.

37 - with about an hour left, President Obama said he will acquiesce to 3 points he has heard.

/////
President Obama was more than gracious in this summit. And I know he was disgusted within 1/2 hour of it beginning.
Because of the bashing and tit for tat the repulsives, once again, fell into.

I said it before.
The repulsives didn't come to discuss.
They came to "diss".

Do they not know anything else?
Is it always a fighting nature with you repulsives. You knock the President, but are you really proud of your boy McCain, who speaks for ya all, doesn't he?

The Great White Way of the Republicans. They have the Master Plan and it is ready to go. You WILL live your life how I say. You WILL do what I say. We will keep people and the masses in the 1950's with their mindsets and thought processes. We can control them better that way.
We will instill fear.
And once we control, by any means necessary, we will clear the swamp.

We want ONLY clean & pristine people in the USA. No diseases. Must be white. Must be able to bear children if you are a woman. Must be able to FIGHT because WE FIGHT.

The white man is not and has never been a nice race. A pretty race.
In all actuality, we s**ck. And it's getting worse.
Can't even respect the man that holds the highest office of our land.
We are so cool, aren't we.

First there is growing anger at Obama in the country - because Obama is supposed to be concentrating on the ECONOMY AND JOBS - and what are we doing - we are back to health care.

Most importantly, Obama does not have enough votes in the House to make this happen - the moderate democrats are not going off a cliff just to help along Obama's ego trip.

In the Senate, whatever reconciliation "fix" gets put through is going to be stripped down - and it will be a complete mess to come out the other side.

Obama is making a disaster.

The abortion provisions - the commitments that Obama made on the abortion provisions - have been pushed aside - all that time and evergy spent on the Stupak Amendment - those democrats are NOT going to vote for this bill now.

Forget it - it isn't there.

What is going to happen is Obama is just going to re-highlight his weakness -

Doing something that the American People do not want does not make Obama look strong - it makes them ready for a backlash.

The democrats in Congress and around the country want to MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE FROM OBAMA.

Obama is going for MAXIMUM DAMAGE RIGHT NOW - HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING

Obams doesn't really know what a voter backlash is - coming from a gerrymandered district and affirmative action programs. (A black majority gerrymandered district isn't much different from an affirmative action program)

Well - the damage from Obama is going to be extensive -

What was the purpose of the summit today, if Obama was going to do his own thing anyway - well that is what Obama has been doing all year.

Well, let's see - there are alot of words for what is going on now - you can fill them in.

YOU could write talking points for the GOP. You would be really good at it. You have a gift for tying up a little bit of fact, a little bit of fluff, and a little bit of hysteria. I'd be happy to give you a recommendation. Just think--you could get paid for what you do here for free. Then, we'd all know your name.

I watched most of it. I thought it informative. I thought the president had a good command of his facts. I thought the GOP started off okay defending their points but it did devolve into talking points. I think the CBO facts about costs savings were informative. I loved that some Dems and Repubs. said why doesnt average Joe citizen have what we have. And I asked myself, why not. Why is it so hard? Why do GOP not take the chance and make some hard choices for the middle class. They gave two rounds of tax breaks for the upper classes. They did give some coverage for seniors but like the two wars did not put money in budget to pay for it. There is work to do but it is doable. Who has had the will to do hard things for the middle class and the seniors and the African Americans in the great Civil Rights stuggles. It has been the Dems time and again who push for the average Joe. I for one stand with the president. There are many folks here who will never see anything but their side of the issue. They cling to their narrow vision of the world. Contrary to what was said, America does not have the best health system. Taking all things into consideration we are around 17th. Since we spend the most of any western country I say the cost to benefits right now are not so great. If some form of HCR does not pass now , we will have to revisit this issue again very soon. As your rates rise and rise over the next few years and eat more and more of your income. It will have to be faced and very soon. The costs to fix it will raise and those who do not have coverage will also escalate.

But you all who think nothing should be done my very well rue the day when all is said and done. I am done with hoping that anything I say or anything any one says will change your mind. Until you lose your job, your coverage or a loved one to cancer or heart disease you wont understand. No insurance. No chance.

Send them to the emergency room. Great idea but guess who pays for that if tx given. You and I my friend. And I might add that I heard that Rush's answer to the uninsured was let them eat applesauce. That I suspect might be the attitude of many here.

When a country has lost its soul. When insurance companies have 8 lobbyest for every congress person on hand in DC for this conference we kinda know who will win out.

If this bill is defeated or water down to the point of uselessness we know were to look. We know were the money has gone ( on both sides of the aisle mind you).

So while I thought it an interesting day, not entertaining but I didnt watch to be entertained. I wanted some facts, wanted to see reactions, wanted to move a bit further down the road. I saw some hope but not enough. In the final analysis if something is not done with Health Care costs for the average person, we all lose. We lose big time.

We have four Kids, we work really hard. and due to the housing boom failure and many other economical changes in this country we are struggling.. We qualify for subsidized health care in our state. Recently we had our third bought with a common illness. the whole family is effected, and the prescription are expensive and there are six of us. so the cost to our provider is costly. Being the third time down with this, illness this yr. I am sure under the "new health care program we would by now have been flagged for some over use of the systems resources and possibly even have the health inspectors here at our door asking to inspect our very clean and well kept home. I know that these types of programs and regulations are leading this country to a place in time when the government will inundate every aspect of our lives.

We have friends who are now completely on the government system due to the seriousness of this economical disaster. they have even lost their home in spite of the “Obomas home saving plan” (that did not work), These friend They found no problem getting health care and in fact we do not know any one who would not qualify for the system as it currently is.

No; you cannot be a uninformed and an ignorant person when it come to using the current system. But it works well for us and for what is was put in place for,.. temporary subsidized health care) but it is not inaccessible...

This health care system that “OBOMINATION” is pushing down our necks is not a government agency I want medaling in my life to the existent that they will be. As a family we use our medical resources regularly. But; If they (the Democratist) think they can close down the process in WASHINGTON and use other processes that were not intended for bill passage, to get what they want, then you'll see them have no problem making the average American "tow the line" and give up more freedom then you every thought this bill would take from you. And when We are spending every cent on the taxes and government healthcare that I am forced to pay or go to jail. I will them be asking for government housing.

If you don’t like the idea of taking care of (me and my husband and our six kids) get them to then fix the jobs and we’ll buy our own health care, like we did before the planed collapse of our financial system.

Posted by: kare1 | February 25, 2010 10:10 PM
---------------------------------
Jake is too busy with his yacht (he posted its mooring info so we would believe he had a yacht) to feel much of anything for the sick. He's also got a Cadillac healthplan that has him worried he might at some time have to pay taxes on it. Don't you wish you could trade your problems for his?

Posted by: kare1 | February 25, 2010 10:10 PM
---------------------------------
Jake is too busy with his yacht (he posted its mooring info so we would believe he had a yacht) to feel much of anything for the sick. He's also got a Cadillac healthplan that has him worried he might at some time have to pay taxes on it. Don't you wish you could trade your problems for his?

Today of all days I picked up a book printed in 1908 that mentions the following about Imperial Germany: "By an imperial statute it is in Germany enacted that all laborers and employees, in short all persons not engaged in business on their own account, shall be and are insured by the imperial government against sickness and disability...." The German Kaiser in 1908 was more advanced than today's Republicans. Sad.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

--------------------
Where do you get all this crap? Show me the proof of millions spent. The Gov. of Hawaii has seen the document. 2 birth announcements found in newspapers in Hawaii at the time of his birth. Unless someone has a time machine, they could not have been posted with the details they have in them. You know this kind of speech is what turns most folks off. Just like folks want to link GWB to 9-1l saying he knew of it beforehand. This kind stuff is crazy. It belongs on Coast to Coast. I guess it is not worth posting on this stuff anymore as it is just wasting my time and folks here are beyond this insanity. But keep posting this stuff, it reminds us why we could never vote for Tea Party folks and uber Right Republicans. Keep up the good work for the Dems. You can only push more folks towards them by these constant insane posts.

But thanks for asking. But like you and your ilk- you will think I am looking for tears and such.

I have left that to my children and husband who are watching me die.

Posted by: kare1 | February 25, 2010 10:04 PM
-------------------------------
Hoping to beat JakeD2 to the punch, I offer my prayers. My cousin had the same (I think). He was treated at UCSF (thanks to his parents' excellent health insurance).

Well, the impetulant little boy managed to show what a loser hew was today, by filibustering "The Summit." I'll bet the farm that he was just aching to tell Joh McLame that "the campaign is over..," and King Obummer showed his behind.

The Louise Slaughter cried about someone using their late sister's dentures. There are dentists who actually do charity work in this area. Also, the lady could eat apple sauce and other "soft foods."

There is only so much money and you can't squeeze anymore out of us. That's the message.

No government subsidies.

No new taxes - Big Pharma already gives away free pharmaceuticals to those in need.

John McCain's statement, I believe, of "let me finish" was totally uncalled for and disrespectful to the Highest Office of the Land. President Obama was jugling 3 people who were talking "over" McCain.
I was floored by McCain.

It is called Protocol. And it exists.
It is called respect.
And in the normal world, it exists.

Respect is not in the Great White Way republican world. "What you can do for me first" exists - and then I may give you respect.

By the mere fact that Barack HUSSEIN Obama is our President, he deserves respect.

-At a summit, that he called for, because all your repulsives WHINED enough about it.
-At a meeting he just drops in on.
-At a lunch counter at Woolworth's.

The Highest Office in the Land deserves respect no matter who holds that office.

If you told your boss to go to h**, would YOU be working? Does that make it personal enough for ya all!

Chris,
Were you watching the same President Obama? I thought he looked like a bored amateur who wasn't getting what he wanted. His countenance in the opening minutes said it all. Jutted out jaw, looking down his nose, and spoiling for a fight. His comment to McCain was downright mean. Obama has a glass jaw. He can throw a punch, but land one on him and he shatters.

He looked petulant and like he was running a PTA meeting. As expected, I was not impressed.

repulsives did nothing but bash the bill and bash the writer of the bill.

if I heard "start over" and "line by line" one time, I heard it 100.
It's been a year. Weren't the repulsives reading the bill line by line and deciding what they didn't like during this time?
Why didn't they bring their notes?

They had a year to line by line the bill and note down what they didn't or did like. Did not hear one thing from the repulsives that came close to "we will talk about it". It was all President Obama, you are so wrong with this bill!

THEN SPEAK UP AND TELL ME WHAT YOU DO LIKE!
Repulsives couldn't do it.
Only what was wrong. And aimed at the President.

And you know, it's not rocket science.
It's a brainstorming session (called in TQM), ----moderator goes down the line -
--what do you like about it
---what don't you like about it.

As moderator of the meeting, President Obama was MORE than cordial and nice. Moderators of meetings, in any corporate office, will cut you off period. Time is up. And what is the argument about time. Get a grip people. It's a non-issue.

I heard President Obama say "can we agree on some things" at least 4 times. Why couldn't Eric Cantor, John McCain, Jon Kyl come out - and say Mr. President - I don't like Section 1702 dealing with Medicare.
Next.
Mr. President, I don't like the amendment dealing with abortion.
Next.
Mr. President, I don't like all of Section B because it doesn't address this & this...
Next

Repulsives wouldn't let him. And I imagine that was their intent. Make him look bad.
Repulsives couldn't even get agreement on WHAT THEY AGREE ON! Now is that chaos/control of the republican party or what?

Republicans no longer understand or know what they are doing. Perhaps it is fear and fear of losing all their money and material things. After all, they paid so dearly for that Mercedes.
Republicans made it obvious that all they know how to do is push the Great White Way idealology (which no longer exists but they think so)---
and get their 32nd degree Mason ring from the Mason Templars.
Every white boy republican is dying for that. They kill for that ring. Believe it.

GOP objections to the Democrats' proposed changes to health care in America revolve around 1) protecting health insurance company profits, and 2) limiting the power of the central government to regulate health insurance companies. This is all couched in terms that the lower middle class workin' man can understand. Obama, the radical Socialist, wants to kill your grandma and take away what little control you have over your own health care. Said control will be transferred to bureaucrats and death panels in Washington. Nice emotional appeal without an ounce of reason in a carload. What gets done to a person to improve his health should be scientifically based as often as possible. This must not act as a brake on research. But run-of-the-mill medical care for common diseases should be treated using methods that are proven safe and effective. Hospitals must be run using the latest techniques that prevent medical errors and nosocomial infections. Patients must have the last word on how heroic the measures ought to be to preserve their lives. It isn't too much to ask insurance companies to pay doctors for their time and their advice once in a while for an extended chin wag with their patients to decide at what point the plug should be pulled. This isn't a death panel. This is a humane methodology for trying to ensure that a patient's wishes are carried out. Too much money surrounding the health care industry swirls into the pockets of people who never get near a patient. The artificial link between employment and health insurance is a disgrace. Republicans love to "let people go," thereby depriving them of health insurance on the off chance that the newly discharged has a pre-existing condition. That behavior must go. The GOP embraces it. The GOP's arguments are deceptive and specious. They should be rejected out of hand for the lies that they are. At least fisticuffs did not break out during the extended semi-rational discussion that was held today at the Blair House.

It was Obama`s show and he didn`t excel.He used almost two hours himself to dismiss,rebut and posture.His treatment of Mccain was boorish: "the campaign is over,John"! Please...you don`t have to like McCain to at least realize he deserves respect.Obama is a condescending and arrogant man who simply can`t listen.The day was a waste and the taxpayers were the big losers since we subsidized a circus.

And unless your cable company carries C-SPAN3, you didn't see the meeting on C-SPAN. And shame on CNN and MSNBC for breaking in with crackpot analysis and double secret probation for MSNBC cutting our to cover women's hockey at the Olympics. One of the other 10 NBC Universal networks couldn't cover hockey?

Once again, serious analysis is foregone by Chris to play handicapper of "winners and losers."

Paul Ryan wasn't really a serious thinker, and his data didn't support his facts. Time after time, the Republicans shifted from embracing the CBO numbers that they loved to acting like the CBO couldn't count for things they didn't -- and Ryan was chief among them.

The rest of the Republicans came off petulant. "Scrap this bill" was the only thing they could offer. That makes them losers, if you want to play that game. The Democrats pointed out time after time Republican ideas in the bill, and shot down their talking points.

The most important thing that Chris -- and most of the rest of media -- missed the continuing lie that the Republicans were "shut out the process." They got nailed by that time and again.

This meeting wasn't about emerging with a bill. It was about making the Republicans look like the obstructionists they are.

If we're keeping score, it was game, set, match Obama and the Democrats.

I'm 63 on Sunday and if I have 15 years left in life I'll be happy. I truly feel sorry for the younger people in this country. If the current bipartisanship continues, you'll put up with party rule, depending on which party wins the White House and a majority in congress. If the ruling congressional party is not the party in the White House, God help you. Flip flopping from extreme conservatism to extreme liberalism will leave the country in ruins. I don't consider that democracy and I don't think that is what our forefathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution. Compromise is an art, as any successful marriage will say. Too bad our politicians have become so indebted to the power brokers and the party that they can't see the real harm they are doing to the rest of us. Then again, maybe they don't care.

As for SuzyCcup, Why in the world do you think I am an illegal alien? I was born here as were my parents. I believe in the words of Lincoln that the government is of, by, and for the people. I trust it MUCH more than I trust the private sector. I can vote government officials in and out of office but I have no say in those who run big corporations. They claim they favor competition and then buy up all of their competitors so they have a monopoly (look at cable TV and how we have to pay through the teeth as opposed to over the air TV on the government airwaves).

But they way you characterize me without knowing me shows me that like the folks at Fox news, you have no interest in the truth -- only facts you make up to support the causes in which you have blind faith. But now I know how the Democratic politicians feel. While I do not mind criticism, I resent people making up things about me. IMay I guess that that is what one does when they cannot logically answer arguments?
-----------------------------------

You compare cable TV to "over the air TV on the government airwaves". That is the typical thought of a liberal. They aren't "the government airwaves", they are the people's airwaves. I suppose that you think your food stamps are "the government's money". The government doesn't have any money except what they extort from the people through threat of force.

If you want to compare cable to over the air TV, do a proper accounting. "The government" provides four or five channels. If people choose to purchase cable or satellite service, they get 500 channels. Since you slam Fox News, you apparently have made the choice to abandon "government TV" for pay TV. You made your choice that the "public option" was inferior.

My CSPAN did not televise the proceedings. Perhaps it was on C-SPAN3. I would check from time to time when CNN pulled away to allow their talking heads to earn their big bucks.

I found that John McCain was very disrespectful to the President. First of all, when the President found an opportunity to try to respond to some very off-the-wall comments that McCain was saying, McCain refused to allow the President to talk. Being the gentleman that is, the President did not insist on talking. During the President's formal reponse to McCain's remarks, McCain interrupted and would not shut-up.

The conference was the President's meeting. He was the moderator. His comments should have taken precedence when he decided to speak. I know that had a Democrat interrupted Bush, we would not have heard the end of it and how disresepctful their behavior was.

Had openminded Americans been able to listen to this sunmnit today, they would have learned a lot. For one, is Medicare Advantage really such a great deal for seniors as much as it is for insurance companies?

Obama's commitment to the American People before the election was to seek bipartisan agreement.

Today - Boehner offered up the broad outlines of a compromise - a scaled back version - Obama committed himself to accept that kind of deal - but OBAMA GOT ANGRY AND SAID NO.

Yea, Obama and his cronies have all the democrats around the nation running around trying to blame the Republicans - but the truth lies elsewhere - IT IS CLEAR THE DEMOCRATS CAN NOT EVEN AGREE ON A BILL.

Obama tried and tried and tried to get the Republicans in a bad position -

He couldn't do it.

If Obama continues to try to jam this bill through, he is only going to sink further.

Rep. Anthony Weiner got it exactly right--Republibums are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance industry, and it shows every time they open their mouths. As for the Republibums who blessed us with their comments here, seriously, you are some of the craziest, most ignorant, hypocrites that that our country has to offer, not to mention just plain mean-spirited. I sincerely hope you all get seriously ill, go broke, and die. I'm tired of people apologizing for being liberal or progressive, because the country would be a better place to live if there were more of us. We had 8 years of reactionary hypocracy, and look where it's gotten us.

If the Obamakraut's bill is above board, then what's stopping him from starting over?

We can Can Pelosi's stories that they can't begin the process a new, because of all of these people who need healthcare NOW!!... which only illuminated her desperate attempt to keep hidden those items that she, Reid, and Obamakraut knows will "murder" them politically- (as if they aren't already "dead" politically)- if "We the People" ever got a whiff of them.

I am in agreement with the Repuglicans- start over. What's so hard about that? What do they still have hidden deep inside of the healthcare bill, that they don't want acknowledged until they pass the corrupt thing?

Enough already. Obamacare needs to die, and they need to begin over- with 100% transparency. That way, we'll know that the bill is copa stetic.

But the Great One will not, CANNOT subject his bill to such scrutiny. I hope the next two years go quickly- and Nov can't get here quick enough.

"I’m always reluctant after being here 37 years to tell people what the American people think. I think it requires a little bit of humility to be able to know what the American people think, and I don’t, I can’t swear I do. I know what I think. I think I know what they think. But I’m not sure what they think. And the..."

I can solve the long term monetary problems associated with medical costs and social security - with what I think are two easy fixes. I call it Final Retirement, where all social security and medicaid/medicare benefits are stopped completely at age 68 (you could still still buy a private health insurance plan of course).

Furthermore, I would make it legal for hospitals and doctors to reject people from hospital services including emergency room services if they could not prove conclusively that they have an up to date insurance policy. Right now the law is that the emergency rooms must 'stabilize' them, and this costs us untold amounts of national treasure. After all, we have gutters that are already paid for.

So, no more benefits past the age of 68 (that DOES give'em three years, and what the heck, my mom has great insurance), and allow hospitals to totally reject anyone that cannot prove they have an active, in force health insurance policy.

That'll help with the unemployed rate, too - poor people die quicker.

Posted by: arumph01 | February 25, 2010 8:59 PM
---------------------------------
I would make a teeny tiny amendment. The police could check for insurance status at car accidents. No insurance, no rescue. No point in liberating anyone from the wrecked car if no hospital will take the injured. No point in calling in the jaws of life. Just leave 'em there. They'll quit screaming in time. Then, just clean up the whole wreck. Case closed.

Obama's commitment to the American People before the election was to seek bipartisan agreement.

Today - Boehner offered up the broad outlines of a compromise - a scaled back version - Obama committed himself to accept that kind of deal - but OBAMA GOT ANGRY AND SAID NO.

Yea, Obama and his cronies have all the democrats around the nation running around trying to blame the Republicans - but the truth lies elsewhere - IT IS CLEAR THE DEMOCRATS CAN NOT EVEN AGREE ON A BILL.

Obama tried and tried and tried to get the Republicans in a bad position -

Obama even lied about the time split - and Obama himself, not counting any other democrat - talked more than the all the Republicans combined -

Obama agreed to split the time evenly between the parties - unless he left the democratic party last night, that applied to him.

You see there is an ARROGANCE - the rules don't apply to Obama - he just keeps on looking for another affirmative action program to skate through.

Well there are no more affirmative action programs - and the country is now STUCK WITH AN INEXPERIENCE, INEFFECTIVE AND PATHETIC OBAMA WHO REALLY HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS DOING.

Today was pathetic - our entire government was there - just to stroke Obama's ego.

A deal is there - Obama doesn't want it - THIS WAS CLEAR LAST SPRING.

The democrats in Congress have lost all confidence in Obama - they are now in survival mode - all they wan to do is limit the damage Obama does to their party and to the country.

Obama is a walking damage-machine right now.

Nothing Obama has done has turned out right.

Everytime Obama shows up because his great persona is supposed to make everything alright, it turns out to be a mess.

earth to jakey:
That's the state of Mass'
low income state health insurance plan.

Every state has one. Funded by federal government and said state involved.
Arizona's is AHCCCS. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

It is not universal healthcare at all.
I explained this on the other blog today.
It is an eligibility based program offered by states for the uninsured, poor, underinsured. Kidscare is one. That's a popular name you might recognize.

But each state sets their own eligibility requirements on whether you can get the "low income state health insurance plan".

You give "state low income health insurance programs" the moniker of universal healthcare, and you are mixing up 2 different concepts. Not nice.

I can solve the long term monetary problems associated with medical costs and social security - with what I think are two easy fixes. I call it Final Retirement, where all social security and medicaid/medicare benefits are stopped completely at age 68 (you could still still buy a private health insurance plan of course).

Furthermore, I would make it legal for hospitals and doctors to reject people from hospital services including emergency room services if they could not prove conclusively that they have an up to date insurance policy. Right now the law is that the emergency rooms must 'stabilize' them, and this costs us untold amounts of national treasure. After all, we have gutters that are already paid for.

So, no more benefits past the age of 68 (that DOES give'em three years, and what the heck, my mom has great insurance), and allow hospitals to totally reject anyone that cannot prove they have an active, in force health insurance policy.

Please read my post carefully. I would be one of those who would not agree with the current health care plan. NOT because it is too liberal, but because it is not a single payer system. So you see when you read 75% of the people disapporve, remember
many of them are like me. We do not approve because it has been watered down too much by conervatives on BOTH sides of the aisle.

As for SuzyCcup, Why in the world do you think I am an illegal alien? I was born here as were my parents. I believe in the words of Lincoln that the government is of, by, and for the people. I trust it MUCH more than I trust the private sector. I can vote government officials in and out of office but I have no say in those who run big corporations. They claim they favor competition and then buy up all of their competitors so they have a monopoly (look at cable TV and how we have to pay through the teeth as opposed to over the air TV on the government airwaves).

But they way you characterize me without knowing me shows me that like the folks at Fox news, you have no interest in the truth -- only facts you make up to support the causes in which you have blind faith. But now I know how the Democratic politicians feel. While I do not mind criticism, I resent people making up things about me. IMay I guess that that is what one does when they cannot logically answer arguments?

Has anyone really changed their minds or opinions after this discussion?
No...it's still a stalemate. The Dem's are still in the majority and cannot pass their bill unless the president strong arms them, which I am sure he will do! The Republicans refuse to buckle under the presidents views. Plan "B" will go into effect, and I still think that all the incumbents in the Congress should be thrown out of office!

Massachusetts provides free health care for residents earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), and partially subsidized health care for those earning up to 300% of the FPL, depending on an income-based sliding scale. The law established an independent public authority, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, also known as the Health Connector. Look it up if you want.

Tom Coburn mentioned fraud, but that is already in the bills from both the House and the Senate. Weren't you listening Cilizza? The Dems were already taking care of that... what has Coburn done that was so remarkable? He must not have read the bills. The Republicans showed that they just want to do nothing serious to solve the problem. They don't want the insurance companies to be regulated. They want the insurance companies to be able to sell any snake oil they can talk consumers into buying with no regulation, just like the credit card companies and crooked mortgage lenders can. That is the Republicans for you... they are just for corporate America and the rich. The Republicans seem to think that people making $69,000 a year are the poor. I wish I made that and could afford to put money into a health savings account.

Massachusetts provides free health care for residents earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), and partially subsidized health care for those earning up to 300% of the FPL, depending on an income-based sliding scale. The law established an independent public authority, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, also known as the Health Connector. Look it up if you want.

Oh, I forgot, I was advised to move to Massachusetts in order to enter their universal healthcare system. [irony alert] In fact, the heartless yachtsman (our own JakeD2) even looked up the Greyhound bus fare for me.

I like JakeD2 and TOMMYHENDRICKS (AKA bicycle boy) who thinks that human beings are like bikes, automobiles and homes and should only be insured as such.

Then of course PROCOUNSEL is a hoot with his---LIBERALS are out there with VANS abducting Republican pregnant women from the streets so they can be forced to have an abortion at PLANNED PARENTHOOD - all so we can have a purely liberal society.

Oh, I forgot, I was advised to move to Massachusetts in order to enter their universal healthcare system. [irony alert] In fact, the heartless yachtsman (our own JakeD2) even looked up the Greyhound bus fare for me.

Just another opportunity for Obama to lecture the Republicans. No real discussion and the Dems are going to try to do what they want if they can get agreement in their own party. But the Blue DOgs had better watch out as the voters will be watching. Couldn't be that this article was biased towards Obama could it?

Former VP Cheney, and I, have "Cadillac" healthcare insurance (not government provided) from generous retirement packages in the private sector. We don't pay a dime for it personally, unless Obama succeeds in taxing us after the fact. Try to get the facts before you post again.

Oh, I forgot, I was advised to move to Massachusetts in order to enter their universal healthcare system. [irony alert] In fact, the heartless yachtsman (our own JakeD2) even looked up the Greyhound bus fare for me.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

I am not a Republican, nor have I had my heart removed. As I stated, move to Massachusetts, if you want to live in a STATE with universal healthcare. It is not "heartless" to point out that the FEDERAL government is not given that power in the Constitution.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

JakeD2 is a healthcare disaster. He had his heart removed and no one has replaced it. Probably to save money. _____________

THere is a new name for JAKED2 and his ILK.

The CHENEY GOPs (A heartless son of a biatch)

Posted by: kare1 | February 25, 2010 8:35 PM
-------------------------------
I am also uninsured because of pre-existing condition and I have paid thousands in healthcare costs (no free ride here). I have been accused of being selfish (because I want to buy insurance), of being a sob story and one time of being boring. I have been told to ask my neighbors for money and to contact all the churches. I have been told that I wouldn't have gotten cancer if I exercised more. All of this came from conservatives as a solution to "my problem".

I am not a Republican, nor have I had my heart removed. As I stated, move to Massachusetts, if you want to live in a STATE with universal healthcare. It is not "heartless" to point out that the FEDERAL government is not given that power in the Constitution.

Obama's citizenship is still in doubt, he has spent millions obfuscating the evidence and all the people have as proof is the word of a bureaucrat. McCain and Palin both published their documentation, and only a partisan media and Congress with it's head in the sand, has allowed Obama to go on this long without proving his eligibility. Which is why we need a law passed that requires proof of citizenship prior to even running for office. Does anyone else see a problem in a system that allows the Commander in Chief to have a lower standard of eligibility than a Private in the nations Army.

Where do these people get the nerve to talk about what the American people want. They certainly do not speak for me or for many of the people I know who all favor a single-payer system. Anyone who ever studied logic knows one only show one exception to disprove such a universal statement and I offer myself in that position. Of course logic is hardly the strong suit of the right -- it's all about their beliefs whether its anti-evolution, free markets, etc, They have their minds made up and logic never seems to be a concern.

We voted the Democrats in in November to get health care and, in his campaign, Obama spoke in favor of single-payer system. Clearly the GOP's idea of compromise if for the Democrats to accept their talking points. I did not hear what I would consider compromise such as "Give us tort reform and we'll give you single payer." That is compromise -- not saying "you give us what we want or we'll take our ball and go home." We elected the left for a purpose. There "conservative Democrats" are like saboteurs. If they want to vote like Republicans, they should have run as Republicans.

And those of BOTH parties should be forced to say how much their campaigns took from insurance companies and, if they did, to have the decency to not vote.

On another item, tort reform. I fail to see how this can possibly save much money. There is no record of it making much of a dent in the states where it was tried and, I think any one of us would not want limitations if we went to the hospital and woke up to discover they ammputated the wrong leg. This is a good place where all of the politicians who claim they want to put things in the hands of the people should be made to live up to their words. It is not the politicians or lawyers who give big awards. It is our fellow citizens on juries who know full well that when they give a big aqward some of that comes from their insurance premiums. They at least have the courage to back up their convictions.

In short, I say the Democrats should go for broke and if it is blocked by Conservatives of either party, then go after those who put insurance company profits ahead of the people's interests in the next election(s). Quit allowing silly GOP talking points to dominate. Take polls in all of these countries where the GOP claim they have worse health care than we do. Ask the people if they would prefer to keep their government health care or switch to the American system. I meet many ordinary people from other countries and they laugh at that choice. They think we are nuts and wonder what the talking heads are smoking.

In short, I advocate that they go all out and let the chips fall where they may, but go after anyone who votes against it with the real masses, not the tea-party types who look like they are already well taken care of.

This, of course, is the OFFICIAL WH version of events (you didn't expect anything else from the Lame Stream Media, did you?) For the TRUTH, please go to the MOST TRUSTED NEWS SOURCE, according to the PPP survey of Jan 2010, FOX NEWS.
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wow who would have thought some one with the name "tea party patriot" would think about "Faux news" they haven't seen any news they regard as the truth they even sued in court to have the right to tell lies on the air. Truth is no where near what they report they bend their message to what they want to spew just as MSNBC does just in a different direction. I kind of like when President Obama told John McCain to get off his campaign mode that the election was over and he lost

and the old man did not know what to do when the President agreed with him about the "florida cut out" for the 800,000 medicare advantage consumers even the President doesn't agree with special treatment for floridas aging, dang does this mean John McCain won't be able to keep his Medicare advantage plan? He might have to pay more, say it ain't so?

Okay. SO let me see if I understand Obamakraut's Obamacare. He wants us to have a Lay Away Healthcare reform- where you PAY NOW, but don't get a chance to use the benefits for almost SEVEN YEARS!! Seven years where countless Americans will die ANYWAYS, because without a job, how in the hell can one pay for MANDATED healthcare?

So, he wants to totally jack up the system, knowing he won't be around to answer for the debacle his decisions cause. WoW!

And people are STILL buying into it! Has to be the same people who sat on their a's waay before the economy tanked, with their hands out like cups, who were receiving gubment handouts, like losers. And I'm not talking about the disabled- I'm talking about those individuals who have litters every year, and expect the gubment (read- TAX PAYERS) to take care of their little cubs.

Or, taking care of the many illegal aliens through the thousands of emergency room visits throughout the nations. What a load poppy crock.

Those who want the public gubment options- then let THEM have it. But for those who have their plans, and LIKE their plans- leave them the hell alone. We're AMERICANS- we can make our OWN DECISIONS!!

President Obama and "his Dems" called the summit for the fair balanced debate.
That is what the summit was called for.
To -at the very least- decide on what they CAN agree on.
What did the repulsives do? Bash the bill and the maker of the bill.
Peppered with "i have talked to the people in my state and etc. etc. and I met a family last week etc. etc.)

HELLO--
what was the summit called for?

How a debate be fair when all that is taking place is bashing the caller of the debate. Makes no sense.

I imagine, in all honesty, that President Obama is quite shocked by the personalities displayed, behind the microphones, in that room at Blair House today.
I could almost feel the vibe through the t.v. set everytime a repulsive began with the same old song and dance of "line by line", "start over", "government takeover".
There was hate for Obama coming from these people. Look at McCain.
That was HATE jakey.

You don't have healthcare insurance? Why do you think the FEDERAL government should give it to you?

Posted by: JakeD2 | February 25, 2010 8:21 PM | Report abuse

_____________________

Poor poor Jake

DId I say I wanted it given to me?????

No I don't have health insurance anymore -- I AM ONE OF THOSE WHO THE INSURANCCE INDUSTRY DUMPED WHEN I GOT SICK.

But you CHENEY GOPS (HEARTLESS SOBs) could give a rats ass about us.

I want an opportunity to BUY a policy that will not cost me 50% OR MORE of my takehome paycheck.

Of course I want to work, I have worked since I was 15, and yes I have two graduate degrees. But I also recently experience one of those "CRY and WHINE" stories you stupid GOPs think only happen to stupid uneducated people.

I taught children in this country for over 20 years. Got sick. Spent $10,000 more for my healthcare than I made last year. Lost my house etc. I will file bankruptcy.

And what was with all of the Democrats' anecdotes? Every Democrat seemed to have a friend, family member, or constituent with a sob story. It's like they want to sell health reform on a tide of emotion.

"I agreed to split the time equally between Republicans and democrats - but last night I decided that my time doesn't count because I am the President."

ARROGANCE

ARROGANCE

ARROGANCE

What part of this contributed to bipartisanship?

What part of this contributed to listening?

As Obama went in, he said he was there to listen, but he talked.

Everyone is shaking their heads, AGAIN.

Does Obama have ANY IDEA what he is doing?

.

Posted by: 37thand0street | February 25, 2010 8:19 PM | Report abuse

===

You guys just don't get it. If Obama didn't care about bipartisanship, he'd just push this all thru via reconciliation and be done with it. The problem is that if he doesn't AGREE with you or your representatives, then you accuse him of "not listening" or being "Arrogant".

Republicans were not elected in equal numbers, they represent a small minority of the country. They have not earned equal input or equal time and to give them either would be a slap in the face of the American people. Elections have consequences, even when you lose. Get over it. If they want more of a say they might want to try policies that represent the majority of Americans.

Just for the record, the Republicans are not the obstacle to passing healthcare reform. The Dems had 60 votes in the Senate and a majority in the house and still had to rely on bribes and backroom deals to get something passed a year later.

If the Dems couldn't pass healthcare reform with super majorities in both the House and Senate, reconciliation would seem a stretch. But it keeps the leftwing loons occupied discussing it and blaming Republicans for the lack of any substantial healthcare reform. Who knew the moonbats were this gullible.

Good column today Chris. Coburn did indeed stay on topic for the most part. The Prez, well if he seemed impatient with some of the statements, it was because this is too serious of an issue to waste time with redundancy. Some of the GOP got caught up with process, as Chris mentioned, appeared petulant and bratty, in no way serious about real discussion and compromise, to their political peril. Ryan is interesting, I'm glad to see some GOPers like him.
and good comment broadwayjoe, except I think it's spelled Saltzman.
credit due where credit's due is a foot path on the way to the road of compromise.

"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell objected that Democrats had spoken for 52 minutes, while Republicans had only talked for 24."

"Republicans later sent an e-mail saying Democratic lawmakers and Obama had talked for 108 minutes and Republicans for 56."

"“Let’s try to have as much balance as we can,” said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican."

"Obama said he hadn’t counted his own time for the Democrats because “I’m the president.”"

Hahahahaha. Really Obama? You have a room full of your minions who talk their butts off and you are the "moderator?" Like some sort of impartial adjudicator? What arrogance. Unbelievable.

This is nothing but political theatre and the greatest theatre is politics. Soap opera Americana.

Obama is scary.

Posted by: WmJLePetomane | February 25, 2010 7:50 PM | Report abuse

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Oh for pete sakes. If Republicans had anything of substance to say other than let's scrap the bill perhaps they could have talked longer. No one wanted to hear them repeat their same talking points over and over. I for one am sick to death of listening to them whining. They whined about the room, they whined about the table. They whined because they didn't want President Obama to look like a President. Spare us the whining. When Republicans have something different to say maybe people will listen.

Oh, and guess what the President of the United States IS the most important person in the room . Republicans/conservatives/right wing/Obama haters need to get over themselves. They have been trying everything they can to diminish him and it just pi$$e$ Republicans off to see that they don't rattle him.

//////
NEWSFLASH: Eric Cantor was seen making a paper dress for Steven Tyler out of the 2700 page bill. Tyler's in rehab and needs all the cheering up he can get!

And Joe Biden can talk! But President Obama has to pull the string first.
It is said that Nancy Pelosi was holding the string and the President couldn't get to it.

And the note given to President Obama in the early part of the summit was from Rahm-a-tolla saying "no more summits".
/////
Yeppers, because within 10 minutes and 2 to 3 repulsives "attacking", --no logical or courteous discussion was going to take place. But yet, the President had 4 more hours to go on it. I would not have blamed him if he would have come out and said
" everyone go home, think about it, and come back tomorrow when you are not in "attack mode" ""

The Republicans will never vote for a health care bill. They would not even begin to pass a health reform bill while they were in power. It is obvious that they like the current system. The Democrats cannot weaken the current bills enough to get Republicans to vote for them. It is an impossible task. The Democrats need to, and have to an extent, take on board the GOP proposals that do not weaken the bills. Then they need to pass a bill by any means necessary. I personally do not need the bill. I have excellent coverage and anticipate having it until I die, but millions of others need it very badly. The Dems are dead if they do not pass a bill. They need to know this.

Has the GOP set up the LOTTERY yet to see which one of the LUCKY 3 million people out of the 40 million uninsured people will be among the PRIVIDGED few to be included in their HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME??

DO I have to stand in line somewhere -- it's not like the GOP is out working for jobs for the AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS?

Maybe I can get a job standing on line for some RICH GOP GUY who needs insurance but has a pre-existing condition --OOOPS that won't work becasue even with the GOP plan - pre-existing conditions are denied care.

The sooner Republic Party of No Senator Reid is replaced with a real Dem, the better.

Hey, Harry, you have 49 votes and a sitting VP - Cheney and Dole used to rickroll Dems with that many votes in the Senate and your "filibuster" ain't in the US Constitution or the published US Senate Rules, it's an "understanding".

jaked2 -
he acknowledged that the time for the Dems, that McConnell was so eyeballing-- (wish he would pay attention to the actual bill the way he was adamantly paying attention to the time)

He's the President, I believe was one response. And it's true. The repulsives wanted a "tit for tat" right from the gate.
Alexander was even quoted (within 5 minutes) that it's "YOUR bill and YOU say this". Can you not see the illogical approach to the summit that was taken?

If not, you weren't paying attention.
President Obama, before lunch, hand to "reign in the group" 3 times.
3 times because the repulsives wanted to bring it back to "tit for tat".

So cutting time for repulsives like Eric Cantor means nothing. They all said the same thing, and quite frankly, the President didn't want to hear the same tit for tat from EVERY repulsive member of Senate. Same old song and dance!
I'm glad he dominated 28 minutes or so.
How many minutes DIDN'T the repulsives get to talk Jake?

Once again, the senile, bitter old man reminded America why he was a horrible Presidential Candidate. McCain has never accepted being routed by President Obama and remains simmering in a cess pool of his enormous, totally unfounded ego. He looked wretched, sounded deranged and it was simply brilliant to see the President pimp slap him to the curb.

I admit an error on Palin, she moved to Alask as a baby. But Beck is a birther and think Obama is Satan. I also read books unlike Beck probably reads Drudge, gets talking points from the John Birch society and also quotes studies from mythical unknown places. I believe in logic, science and educatioing myself, not dumbing myself down with Beck.

Oh, he's soooooooooo smart, isn't he? He is a rambling buffoon who cannot contain his testiness unless everyone buys into his total awesomeness. And again, he pimps out his own daughters so he can add to the list of Democrat sob stories. But hey, who isn't willing to pay a trillion dollar for the woman who's wearing her dead sister's false teeth?

How many more first year rookie mistakes can we withstand by the Professor in Chief in the second year?

Meanwhile it is past time for every republicon and all the 'blue dog' stonewalling democraps to give up their tax-payer funded government cadillac health care plans

Let them eat cake too & the 'free-market capitalism' individual health care plans they think are good enough for the rest of us who cannot afford care but do not care to choose or pay for it for themselves and their families.

When can we officialiy assign the moniker of "We're #37" to the republicon party of liars & hypocrites?

Why do you conservatives hate America? If it's so awful, why don't you go someplace else?

These posts indicate once again that the Republicans have no ideas at all. They can't come up with anything except unsubstantiated personal attacks on Democratic leaders. If the founding fathers--who dealt with disagreements that they considered as serious as this--had behaved as modern conservatives do, this nation wouldn't even exist. But they knew how to engage in a conversation and reach a compromise. They knew they weren't going to produce a perfect Constitution, so they made provisions for amendments. And those of us who really venerate them and their work try to follow that example.

People need to think, be intelligent and try to be smart when talking about oppsossing healthcare. Let's not use cheap shots like socialism, govenrment takeover or listening to Sean Hannity. As Obama said, if there are ideas and not talking points lets hear them

Wait if Hawaii is not a state, then Palin is not from state- Idaho or Alaska. There are 50 states and Obama did produce his birth certifcate. Also the Birther's lawsuit was thrown out. Enough about Birthers, some people are not able to be reached.

Winner by a perfect score of 174.03- by far, was our President. For his graciousness throughout the insults.
And the repulsives did nothing but insult and try to degrade. Let me say that again. Try to degrade!

Another winner- Mr. Clyburn. Did I spell that correctly? The expanding of community health centers.
Great point.
At least he didn't bash the bill.

It was a big "bash the bill" and "bash the writer of the bill". President Obama.

Heck, can't even call it a summit. A summit is a nice good word for "meeting of the minds". This was none of that at all. In spades. And you can blame the repulsives and their "steadfast idealology" that America should always be kept in a 1950's frame of mind.

I wrote on the other WaPO blog that the President invited the repulsives to play ball in the schoolyard. And those repulsives came with whips, chains, and guns.

They had no intention on "discussing".
They had intent to "diss".

I will apologize on Chris' blog as well.
I am sorry at the way John McCain and Jon Kyl acted today, as representatives of the state of Arizona.

They don't want to meet me in a dark alley.
Do a "Silas the Monk" on them for sure!!!!

And what was with all of the Democrats' anecdotes? Every Democrat seemed to have a friend, family member, or constituent with a sob story. It's like they want to sell health reform on a tide of emotion. Republicans came across as the more factually grounded side much of the time. The emotional tugs seemed scripted for a national audience, but they seemed out of place in the discussion, especially as Obama kept trying to focus on specific policy proposals the rest of the time.

==

yeah when people die of treatable ailments in the wealthiest country in the world their families need to put aside emotion and consider how much the taxpayers saved.

Obama looked good as CC said, he has been the only real rational person in the healthcare debate on resorting to death panels and rationing care. We are rationing care now and Insurance companies are the ones between people and their doctors, not the government. I work with people on Medicare and they have no problems with care or getting access to treatment. My insurnace company is a pain in the ass when I ahve a claim.

Winners from the summit: to be determined, based on whether a health care bill is passed

Definite losers: the twenty million plus people in this country who will not have health care insurance if the Obama/Reid bill is passed by Congress; the tens of thousands who will needlessly die because of this fact; the hundreds of thousands who will go bankrupt because of this reality and the few significant reforms not going into effect for those who can buy health insurance until 2014.

In Depression Obama, 6 Americans were looking for a job for every 1 job opening.

Americans began to slowly realize that Obama socialism had therefore condemned 5 out of 6 Americans looking for a job to hopeless unemployment. These were the victims of the Obama socialism jobs lottery.

Americans grew weary of Obama’s teleprompter promises to consider all ideas for job creation–especially after the “Jobs Summit” in the White House where the Chamber of Commerce–who are the employers–were NOT invited.

Home foreclosure sales cluttered Courthouse calendars and became routine. And unemployment benefits were constantly extended as socialism obama failed repeatedly. But many began to realize that unemployment benefits were just starvation on the installment plan.

Americans began to go hungry.Pollice began to report Americans stealing food. During year one of Obama, these hunger reports were still published openly, for example the Wash Po on December 17, 2009 still openly reported:

“One of the vets here recently brought in a young female Iraq vet who'd been living under a bridge in Warren. Cmdr. Jack Hilles fed her hot meals for two weeks, and another vet helped her find work at an injection molding plant.

"We even found her some clothes," says Hilles, anger in his voice. "She didn't have any g-dmn civilian clothes."

They are everywhere in this Ohio -- under bridges, in basements, at the vast Eastwood Mall complex that sprawls between Warren and Youngstown with a dented vitality.”
........................

“A 48-year-old Youngstown man was charged, accused of stealing $14 worth of food from Rite Aid Pharmacy," reads an entry in the weekly police report published in the Vindicator. "A Youngstown woman, 21, was charged with filling a shopping cart with $154 worth of groceries and leaving an Aldi food store without paying."
..........................
Source: Wash Po December 17, 2009 page 1 by Anne Hull

Americans began to ask themselves if they would convict someone of stealing food??

After all, Depression Obama had GUARANTEED 5 of 6 Americans looking for a job would NOT find a job–Obama’s own Labor Dept numbers back this up. And socialism was known to fail every time it was tried.

Yet Obama, the Hunger President, showed interest only in preening before another audience and another worthless speech
and blaming Bush or anyone else.........

But worst of all Obama neglected National Security, endangering all Americans.

If obama was smart, he would never have had a summit. A séance would have been much better. It would have allowed obama to include Teddy and Murtha. Not that they would have made much difference in the outcome, but Teddy could have apologized for killing that young woman and Murtha could have warned everyone about the consequences of too much pork.

I have read the Constitution and have also read much about the Supreme Court. Obama's legitamcy are not in question has nothing to do with the constitution. Last I knew Hawaii was a state. Admitted in 1959. With this logic about birthers then Sarah Palin is not a citizen because she was born in Alaska. Stop watching Glenn Beck.

I don't think Obama did quite as well as CC makes out. Obama wasn't a loser, but he didn't come across as a winner like Coburn or Ryan did. Since there were no other strong performances on the Democratic side, Obama was their shining star, but since there were no other strong performances on the Democratic side, that's not saying much.

Obama was downright peevish at moments, such as when McCain launched into a long speech about the abuses of process in crafting the current bill during what was supposed to be a discussion of insurance, prompting the whole, "We're not campaigning for office anymore" exchange.

And I nearly had to sign off when Obama went into his bizarre analogy to car insurance for some junker he had when he was in college. Evidently, Obama still to this day does not understand the difference between liability insurance and comprehensive and collision insurance because he seemed to fault an insurance company for not paying for the dents in his car on a liability policy. What this has to do with health insurance? Not really sure. Doctors, after all, are the ones with liability insurance, and last time I checked, doctors don't normally as their malpractice liability insurer to pay when they break their own legs skiing. Obama seemed to be aiming for a general "insurance companies...evil" point, but it fell flat, mostly thanks to his own lack of clarity and misconceptions about what insurance is.

Obama had his strong moments, too, as CC notes, but he will get panned for a long time for comments like this car insurance anecdote.

And what was with all of the Democrats' anecdotes? Every Democrat seemed to have a friend, family member, or constituent with a sob story. It's like they want to sell health reform on a tide of emotion. Republicans came across as the more factually grounded side much of the time. The emotional tugs seemed scripted for a national audience, but they seemed out of place in the discussion, especially as Obama kept trying to focus on specific policy proposals the rest of the time.

Note the conservative comments today. All the usual snark & gotcha, plus an unusual run of bare assertions. Obama was arrogant (code for a nigra who doesn't know his place), Obama would destroy America, America will lose if the bill is past, blah blah blah.

Didn't watch (employed), but from the sound of it, including Cillizza's first positive reference to his President since the 2008 primaries, I'd say Obama hit it out of the park.

You have an extremely good point - especially when the objective today was bipartisanship - so the people who could bring everyone together - without winners and losers are supposed to be the ones who did what they were supposed to.

Among the many stupid things this poster said,
this is perhaps the dumbest. We just saw a
president go point-by-point over a very complex
problem facing America.

Not once did he fail to deliver a compelling
argument for his opinion. All this while being
polite to all speakers, with a great attempt to
get past talking points and find the good side
of those who are dead set against his
success.

I'm a huge fan. Question though, does the notion of "winners and losers" in politics, about something as nuanced as health care reform contribute to everything getting all screwed up? You can't win something where there is no score. This sort of column, which I admit I love to read, hurts the process. It drives politicians to pander instead of to lead.

I saw the wolves in the day time. Where is the isolated sheep?
What a waist of time. It `s reminded me with the flaks of the wild beast in Serengeti when they try to cross the river each one wait for the first to jump in the mouth of the alligator
the commen since to be fare a way from each other. that why they call it the white house.

I was laid off at the end of 2008 and we've been on COBRA with the federal subsidy that's about to run out.

I'm *finally* starting a new job -- but it's about 1/6 of my previous salary and has no paid health benefits.

Individual health insurance here in Florida is hard to get at all when you're in your 50s and have health problems. It's also beyond our means.

The Democrats aren't doing enough, soon enough, to help my wife.

The Republicans are acting as a death panel. They want Debbie to die. Simple as that.

I can get V.A. care. My wife can't.

Do you think the Republicans want her to die because she's black? Or do they have another reason?

I don't really care at this point. They need to be tried, preferably by military tribunals, and jailed or executed. They have become traitors to the American people, and should be judged the same way they want to judge others who hate America.

Chris, could you do something on Ryan? This is the first time he has come to my attention. What is his likely political trajectory to be. I've only seen him in action this once but I sense that he may be too much of a wonk and too intellectually honest to go very far in politics! ;)

Posted by: anon99

---------------------------

Ryan is wonky in some respects, but he is also a savvy, aggressive politician. He manages to earn respect from both sides of the aisle, and yet he remains a darling for conservatives. In a lot of ways, this makes him the Republican counterpart for another Wisconsin legislator, Russ Feingold, but unlike Feingold, I'd say that Ryan actually has chance at a national office. Feingold could get appointed to a Cabinet position or something like that, and many progressives would love to see him make a serious run at the presidency, but he would have a very hard time winning a national election. Ryan, on the other hand, might one day do well in a Republican primary.

A failed embittered Presidency can be extremely dangerous--
so a profile of Obama's like FUTURE actions is critical.

In his monumental work "Hitler and Stalin" Alan Bullock notes both Hitler and Stalin were narcissists. ProCounsel is NOT stating Obama is either Hitler or Stalin. But his analysis, written long before Obama's ascendancy, is a useful model.

Bullock explains narcissism on page 11:

"In such a state only the person himself, his needs,feelings and thoughts, everything and and everybody as they relate to him are experienced as fully real, while everybody and everything otherwise lacks reality or interest."

Bullock describes the effects of narcissism and provides a predictive model useful for Obama on page 343:

"Narcissistic personalities are convinced of their special qualities and their superiority over others, and any threat to this self image--such as being criticized, shown up, or defeated--produces a violent outrage and often a desire for revenge."

Bullock cites 3 psychological reactions Stalin used to guard his narcissistic self image. Bullock credits Robert Tucker for these insights on page 356. The 3 reactions to expect for the Obama profile would be:

1. Repression–simply blankly deny the truth, no matter how obvious or even if caught on video

2. Rationalization-Admit but use the fault as proof of his zeal

3. Projection-Obama will attribute to others the motives and attitudes he refuses to admit in himself

Ironically, per the Profile Dems in the House and Senate will be in much more danger from a wounded irrelevant White House than the Republicans, as Obama will deem the Dems unworthy of him--THEY failed NOT him.

Don't believe the profile??

Just go back and review Obama's response to the Detroit airplane bombing. Obama went through all 3 stages above and that analysis is especially instructive as Obama was naked--without senior staff.

The Republicans are not interested in these deaths. There are tens of thousands dead every year. They prefer to slur and slander the 'welfare queens' rather than to stand up for hardworking Americans and their families.

What happens to middle aged Americans who are laid off, whose jobs go overseas, while the CEO's extract ungodly profits and bonuses?

Ok, can we retire the claim that Obama is and elietist or is uppity. He came from a humble backround and is a self made man, unlike many other presidents. Obama made his own money and is his own person who was smart enogh to get an elite education. My typing skills stink, sorry for any mispelled words

The Republicans are not interested in these deaths. There are tens of thousands dead every year. They prefer to slur and slander the 'welfare queens' rather than to stand up for hardworking Americans and their families.

What happens to middle aged Americans who are laid off, whose jobs go overseas, while the CEO's extract ungodly profits and bonuses?

What happened to the Republican idea of slasing all medical related consumer prices by 25% in exchange for Tort Reform?

Is Congress and the President ever going to represent the American people again or don't we make enough money? Its just getting worse these past sixteen years. We have elections and still no representation unless you can pony up several billion in assets.

Yes, out of all the Republicans Tom Coburn made a very real contribution to the discussion & his point that 33% of our health care dollars are spent to treat "life style" related disease is correct, with the leading condition being obesity that leads to diabetes & cardio vascular disease.

Unless we get our "life style" related diseases under control, we will never be able to contain & control the cost of health care.

The Republicans to a man can't use their own minds to talk. They blurt out talking points set up by the RNC or big money and almost never speak their own thoughts and ideas. They are puppets with someone pulling the strings behind the curtain. It's really kind of sad to watch them on national TV being so impotent and useless.

Best quote by Senator Durbin when confronting Republicans on their Tea Party pandering: "If you think it's a socialist plot, then please drop out of the federal employees health program."

Also, I was happy to see Speaker Pelosi pointing out the determined lies of the GOP re: federally-funded abortions (false) by calling out Boehner on claim these bills will fund abortion. She did the same with Camp's phony baloney claim that Medicare will be cut for seniors.

Pelosi: our health care plan puts an end to discrimination against pre-existing conditions, the Republican plan does not

Our leader... Speaker Pelosi is a one-woman fact-checker: "there is no public funding of abortion in these bills."

The insurance industry has acted shamefully -- Speaker Pelosi

Pelosi: "This will take courage to do." Making it into a JFK "Profile in Courage" moment here at the end.

The House ethics panel has found that Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) broke ethics rules, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported that Rangel knowingly accepted Caribbean trips in violation of House rules forbidding hidden financing by corporations. Rangel said he had done nothing wrong and expected the report to show he was not guilty of anything.

I, more or less, agree with you about winners and losers. Pelosi, though, was a definite loser as was McConnell. They both were way too partisan.

I think several of the Republicans, particularly Colburn and Ryan particularly, made very good points. On the Democrat side, Durbin made some good points on malpractice.

There was one other speaker who made some good points - I don't remember whether he was a Dem or Repub - but he said he owned a shoe store and his wife shopped around for insurance a lot for insurance to reduce the huge increases they faced. Actually, he made a good case on why a large insurance exchange where coverage and pricing where listed side by side in a column makes since. As someone who had to buy my own insurance, I spent the equivalent of a week full-time studying and researching various plans. That's a lot of wasted, unproductive time.

The absolute loser in the summit are two-fold: the Dems did not engage well,leaving the President to defend or argue or agree to Republican points. Made them look weak. The second was the lack of any real discussion amongst the Congressional members since, Constitutionally, they are the ones responsible of creating legislation.

Of course, the biggest loser may be the American people as this process drags out - while each side of the Congress plays to their base in the media for the upcoming Nov. election.

the Democratice Party should just pass the bill. many people thought civil rights, Medicare and Social Security were not going to work. they turned out to be wrong. I admit that Social security and Medicare have their problems, but the work better than the insurance industry and do not rely on the stock market for returns.

Posted by: Brainny

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Funny enough, it was mostly Democrats who thought that civil rights wouldn't work. Republicans voted in larger numbers on that bill than Democrats did. And you know what else? They passed policy, and didn't pull and end run around legislative process to do it.

The problems with just running the bill through with reconciliation are many. For one, it's not clear how much of health care reform could even be passed. Reconciliation is only for budget matters, and so much of these bills have nothing to do with budget. Yes, the tax provision would pass, as would spending, but many of the regulatory sections would be slashed. Democrats would end up with half a bill.

What is more, reconciliation only works for bills with a limited time frame. Congress cannot pass a law lasting forever with reconciliation. Democrats could only pass a bill to be in effect for a set number of years, at which point the entire bill would come up again for renewal. And if Republicans happened to control one or both of the chambers (or the presidency) when that time comes, Democrats could see the health reform expire on mere inaction.

Finally, reconciliation is a huge political gamble. It would energize progressives and everyone else on the far-left, but it would utterly alienate conservatives. Many liberals probably won't care about alienating conservatives, but the real question and problem for liberals is what happens with the middle third of the country. Liberals presume that moderates will jump for joy when they see Democrats taking action because, hey, liberals will be jumping for joy, so why shouldn't everyone else? But this isn't necessarily the case. Polls show increasing distrust with Democrats over health care, and also a strong opposition to the current bills. If Democrats are widely perceived as resorting to tricks to force through an unpopular bill, and if bitterness over this lingers into the next couple elections, Democrats could find themselves out of Congress and even out of the White House. Is it worth winning half of a battle to lose the war?

And I say half of a battle because reconciliation will only get part of the bill passed, and it will only create a new system that lasts for a few years. If Democrats put Republicans back in power by resorting to reconciliation, then who will be in office when it comes time to renew the reform?

Obama did OK, but he could have done better. He had a tendency to snap at or interrupt Republicans and to stare seriously at Democrats engaging in pointless, time-wasting waffle. "Let me read you a lengthy tale of woe from a random constituent.

Becerra sounded like he was learning disabled in his rebuttal to Ryan. He may not actually have been that bad. It's just that Ryan was so good.

Rep. Ryan was the hands-down winner for me. Concise, engaged and clear. The President had no response and Becerra's response of "No fair thinking! CBO RULES!" was just painful.

Chris, could you do something on Ryan? This is the first time he has come to my attention. What is his likely political trajectory to be. I've only seen him in action this once but I sense that he may be too much of a wonk and too intellectually honest to go very far in politics! ;)

When the mainstream media present a series of facts, the right-wingers who now dominate the Republican Party don't like it. Facts, ugh! But what can you do? Why, you attack the media, of course. That diverts the whole discussion to the character of the media, and gets you off the hook on your difficulty understanding the situation.

Attacks on Chris are similar. He's a political junkie, through and through. But few posters seem to want to argue with him about substance -- as in "I think Durbin should have been included in the "winners." No, instead posters attack Chris as a tool of the Republicans. Or a tool of the Democrats. Or a tool of the dirty rat communists. Or something.

It all makes me wonder about the quality of thought that is demonstrated on these posts. Let's have less name-calling and silliness, people, and more substantive discussion and argument. If you can.

Again: to all the hyper partisans and the Obama haters, put the emotion aside and lets put on our intelligence caps on and really think like adults. Please Do not put the dunce caps on when listening to Glenn Beck.

Obama was the looser. Never in my life time have I seen a more arrogant President, especially his remarks to McCain when McCain told the truth. Obama also got his facts wrong in challenging Alexander. Kill the monster of a bill and try with smaller legislation.

I watched all 6 1/2 hours of the summit. You understate President Obama's success, Chris. He was more brilliant, thoughtful, patient, magnanimous, and respectful than anyone else there and probably than 99.99% of the American public. Three cheers for a really great President Obama.
Poor John McCain and Chuck Grassley. They truly looked and sounded like bitter, old men.
I agree that Tom Coburn did well with a 180 from his most recent rants and, thus, won himself some favor.

Obama wins the day with his final remarks challenging Republicans to do "soul searching" and come up with simple ways that they can compromise on a health care bill. He laid out where he would drop some of his priorities and asked the same of the opposition. This is a request most Americans will see as perfectly reasonable and refreshing, but which the GOP will, of course, fail to deliver on. It summed up the day...

"Soul searching"? Perhaps you should be asking the same to the Messiah, when federal funds will be used to fund abortions, eh lib? I don't know what world you pretend to live on, but here on planet "Earth", no one wants this bill! Perhaps you still don't get what happened in Mass or maybe you or either too arrogant or too stupid! There are less than 10 million who want yet can't afford healthcare, therefore, this enormous failure of a bill is not needed. As typical with you libs, it's always another "crisis" that requires more government. What happened to man made global warming? LMAO!!When will you libs ever learn that more government is NOT better?

McCain was the big loser. His petulance and impatience really came out in this setting. It confirms BHO was the right choice for POTUS.

BHO obviously the big winner: herding all these cows in the room and forcing them to deal with health care reform.

However, you left out the entire cast of "Jersey Shore" as major winners.
________________

And...no checks today!

There was a positive mention of the 44th President of the United States, first in two years
No free Charlie Cook Report ad/mention
No Dems in trouble false narrative
No GOP comeback false narrative
No Palin in 2012 shout out
No Pawlenty in 2012 shout out
No Chip (Magic N-gro CD) Salsman shout out
No ad for some GOP wannabe candidate nobody's heard of or cares about
No cherry picked anti-BHO polls
No transcription of RNC press advisories

Paul Ryan would be someone who says "let the market decide". That seems to have worked out well. Massive forclosures, 10% unemployment, lost 401ks, the banking systme almost failing. I will go with regulation and governemtn doing their job. It is easy to say privatize anyting. Paul Ryan is not as smart than many give him credit for when comared to Obama. I will say at least Paul Ryan is honest about where he stands.

Today's summit really backfired on Obama - everyone is saying that there is a compromise in there - a much more scaled back bill that still accomplishes alot - however Obama is refusing that compromise.

Many people thought Obama was rude - and he talked way too much.

Obama agree to split the time 50-50 - but in the end Obama kept on talking talking talking and the democrats were clocked at TWICE THE AMOUNT OF TIME AS THE REPUBLICANS.

Again, Obama lied - and it is difficult to work with someone you can not trust.

Obama refuses the possible - in favor of going after the impossible.

Obama is going to try to jam this through - and clearly he does not have the votes.

People are going to be extremely upset with Obama.

If today was all about creating some justification to continue to be partisan, Obama failed.

Cillizza says that Obama was a winner in this. Too bad Obama was simply selling the same snake oil and lying through his teeth as usual. Obama stayed on thbe same left wing talking points about how horrible the insurance companies are in that they are making massive profits from the government. Unfortunately for Obama this is far from the truth. By Law, if a person has commercial insurance and MEDICARE, MEDICAID, or TRICARE, the government agency pays LAST, and even if the government does pay a small amount of the bill and the patient has commercial insurance the government agency then charges the fees to the commercial insurance. Meanwhile Obama is still sticking with the fairy tale that insurance companies are simply charging high fees and not paying medical costs.

barry seemed to want it both ways as usual. he conceded on several points but of course it would never make it into any bill. If the cameras were off, you got to wonder what he would have actually said, the arrogant sycophant. I am the President, I am more equal than others.

'Oh blah de, Oh blah da, life goes on,' if you're lucky enough to have health insurance.
And nothing I heard today suggested that either party has the answer to unaffordable health insurance. Only endless talking points, and more of the same.

I disagree about Coburn being a winner from the summit. He may have stood out in terms of political grandstanding (he's an expert at that), but his proposal regarding eliminating waste and fraud is something no one disagrees with. What more thoughtful people realize, however, is that identifying and eliminating fraud, abuse, and waste is much easier said than done. Every state Medicaid agency has a fraud and abuse unit and CMS prosecutes cases for fraud almost daily. It is not as if no one is trying. The problem is that estimates for potential fraud or waste are just that...estimates. There are no guarantees. Even if 20% of Medicare spending is for fraudulent claims or unnecessary procedures that does not mean CMS can identify, prosecute, and recoup all those fraudulent dollars or prevent that amount of wasteful spending. (Mystery patients??? What is he talking about? That would cost a fortune and offer no guarantee of a conviction or recoupment of payments!!!) Regarding both fraud and waste I would tell Dr Coburn...physician...heal thyself. It is Doctors and other healthcare providers that are committing the fraud and engaging in most of the waste. Maybe they should police their own profession more effectively.

Much to do about nothing. Until they allow insurance groups to sell across the country for a true open capitalistic system (the current system is an Oligopoly), create a single payer system to drive down administrative overhead costs for health care providers, allow people to buy their drugs from Canada, allow citizens to buy from a federal plan and true tort reform where doctors also can buy their premiums across from different group across the country the insurance companies will continue to laugh their way to the bank! Special interest is laughing at this spectacle because they know that they own these guys. Change the way Congress does business and just perhaps bills coming from them maybe what is best for America and not the Corporate Welfare State!

when was the last time an insurance company went out of business due to too many claims or too many malpractice judgements? Even Florida's five hurricanes in 2004 didn't bankrupt any insurance company. Health Insurance companies get to keep raising premiums so that their profits remain steady...and only go out of business due to malfeasance or corruption, not because of payment of claims. As soon as you cost them more money then you should, they dump you or deny you treatment... great business plan!

Obama wins the day with his final remarks challenging Republicans to do "soul searching" and come up with simple ways that they can compromise on a health care bill. He laid out where he would drop some of his priorities and asked the same of the opposition. This is a request most Americans will see as perfectly reasonable and refreshing, but which the GOP will, of course, fail to deliver on. It summed up the day...

Again, the GOP, O stands for obstructionist, have small ideas that will not take care of the problem. Anyone remember what happened when the GOP was trying to be bipartisan, we got death panels and Chuck Grassley lying his butt off. At least Obama has some real ideas and tries to really do smething about health care. The GOP plan will only insure 3 million people. Boy, sounds like the 50 million inusured will be happy. Still not health care

I watched the meeting. The Republicans had nothing to contribute - just the usual criticism and "start over" demands. When President Obama carefully explained why their criticism was unjustified, and tried to keep the focus on areas of agreement, the next Republican just said the same as the one before him.

The Dems have repeatedly tried to work with the GOP on this legislation, but the insurance industry won't allow it. Time to move on.

the Democratice Party should just pass the bill. many people thought civil rights, Medicare and Social Security were not going to work. they turned out to be wrong. I admit that Social security and Medicare have their problems, but the work better than the insurance industry and do not rely on the stock market for returns.

Pupster, I guess I am suggesting that you could have made your point in a more productive way than "dimwitted old white men." Your language in the earlier comment would not be acceptable in modern society if it were directed at any other race, or women, etc. It doesn't really help matters. The country is divided enough right now.

Oh! Would any of you who are so sure the republicans came with FACTS and NUMBERS please tell me what facts and numbers they might be? All I can find is NO NO NO You have to start over. Note that not one Republican asking for a do over offerred to ghuarantee to vote for whatever bill emerges from such a process. Start over means "Give us a Second Chance to scuttle Health Care reform for another generation."

McCain, for example, is so hot and bothered about those deals, but didn't offer to find republican votes to replace Democrats who might bolt sans those deals. Not even his own.

Not one Republican offered any suggestion of anything that could get him to vote for a real health care bill. Zip, nada nichtwas.

As we still need a Health Care Bill, and the only candidate that the Senate republicans can't do anything about is the previously passed Senate version, Obama should push it, even to the point of blatant deal cutting in the House. Especially to the point of blatant deal cutting in the House. Give McCain, McConnell, Kyl and co plenty of medicine to raise their blood pressure to apoplectic heights, and maybe a couple will keel over and make room for minds that can accept the twentieth century. (It will be generations for republicans who can accept the twenty-first century to be born.)

republicans don't have anything to put on the blank piece of paper they are demanding. they just want to run against the bill as it stands.

tort reform, and a couple tax credits that will insure a couple more people (probably not enough to make up for those dropping coverage due to affordability), and interstate insurance marketing. that's pretty much it. nothing wrong with any of it, it just won't accomplish a darn thing. costs will still double, more individuals and employers won't be able to afford it, the rest of us will have to pay far more, preexisting condition provisions will still exist, nothing that's wrong will be fixed.

Gratefully, this little charade is over. BO can now say he "really tried hard" to get some cooperation, but how can Republicans cooperate with the concept of growing government and allowing government to take over operation of 1/6th of the economy.

Why not a Public Option? If Obama's Healthcare Bill is going to be pushed through the Senate using Reconciliation, with 100% of Republicans voting No, then why not have the Public Option included anyway?

Pupster, good to know racism and ageism is alive and kicking in the USA. We've come so far. Wow. Posted by: Shadow10
__________________

Yeah, shadow10, I'm the racist and ageist because I'm pointing out that the personnel in that room didn't really reflect the diversity of our country. It's hard to be a old white stupid dude even though they get to form the policy that affects the rest of us.

Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) provides me an adequate and ever-changing listing of “Winners” and “Losers”. I have no particular interest in comparing “performances” in the summit today, and I wish the so-called “pundits” would stop finding that newsworthy.

I was hoping to get a clearer understanding of the Republican objections to the health care bill, and what it would take to move the bill forward. Instead, I get a lot of “talking points”. Big disappointment.

Individual winners: Mike Enzi (substantive, friendly, to the point), Dick Durbin (substantive, impassioned but non-partisan). Losers: Nancy Pelosi (highly partisan and incoherent), Chuck Grassley (long, rambling, pointless), John Barrosso (with the implication that maybe we should just all get along with catastrophic insurance only).

In terms of public expectations (ok, hopes)...

Unsatisfactory, despite numerous references to what "the American people" want. What people wanted a substantive discussion, and we mostly got posturing. We got some interesting exchanges of ideas, and each side got a chance to make its point. What we did not get was any real progress on an actual bill with a bipartisan flavor. At the end of the day, we're still in the same place. Possibly, Democrats have some political coverage for using reconciliation, despite Republican attempts to cut off that avenue.

Top mystery: Why Tom Coburn got so many mentions. His presentation was competent, but no more.

Well, Mr. Cilizza, your prejudices are obvious. Everything that would water down health care reform to the point of being useless ("bipartisanship," Republicans, Obama's desire to accommodate Republicans) was a "winner." Everything that might produce meaningful health care reform (some willingness by Democrats to fight for the middle class, the public option) was a "loser." Well, let me add one to your list of "losers:" YOU.

If anything, today's summit showed the voting public who in that room had brains and knew what they were talking about, and those that didn't. It should have been a real education to us that many congresspeople just aren't very smart, and that big problems such as health care are way too complicated for their garbanzo-sized brains. And I'm talking both Repubs and Dems.

Ok, we've had the "summit" and some folks did well and some didn't. Now it's time for the Democrats to pass the bill without the Republicans. Just keep making nice in the media to distract the children and ram this puppy through the House and Senate. Get it done already. We cannot wait anymore.

..."Only a fool would vote Republican again after the Mess the Blew it Bush/Republicans left the country in! Only a fool votes right against himself when he votes Republican and only a FOOL ignors the facts and record of the Blew it Bush REpublicans who lost 8 and a half Million jobs in eight years in office, Left YOU/American's a record debt/deficit/BILL $1.5 TRILLION DOLLARS, and my favorite Republican fact, "They left office with the LOWEST JOB APPROVAL RATING IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENCY 20%!

Except for the 20%er's, the winners ought to be voters who got a full free and open pportrait of a republican oparty quite willing to say openly that they haven't a clue as to what reforming health care might require, but were willing to assert that the democrats couldn't possibly have a workable plan. The Dems, having passed two such workable plans, and having worked with their leader to produce a third, can now go back and get at least something passed, with secure consciences that there never was a shred of hope that Republicans cared enough about the majority of Americans, or of what a super majority of Americans want to even consider bipartisan approaches to the problem.

The Republicans spoke with one voice, "Hell NO!" and buried the need for Obama to ever again worry that he might have gotten, or might ever get, Republican participation in legislation as long as he is President.

The Republicans have declared that they will never participate, so write them off and get us healthe care reform.

"Obama and the Senate soared, while the public option, Harry Reid and John McCain bored."

Obama soared?! The only reason I clicked on this article was to see what the heck was this fantasy piece all about. Chris, did you even watch the event or have a 14 yr old 'Bama fanboy staffer cover it for you?

The biggest losers were John McCain and the many dimwitted old white men who seemed focused on all the wrong things and kept repeating the same talking points that were then sliced to ribbons by the President. With few exceptions, they just didn't know what they were talking about. McCain came off angry and senile. Kyl just dumb and clueless. Reid rambling and pointless. Both Cantor and Boehner full of monotone stale repetitive air. (Cantor has one of the most whiny unappealing voices for a public official.)

In the main, the summit seemed to have too many extraneous characters. Get rid of everyone and leave Obama, Coburn, Ryan, Sibelius and a couple more thoughtful prepared people to hammer out the details.

No health system reform will be adequate unless these problems are addressed as part of any legislation: 1) Obesity. The Feds need to get very aggressive for this, for obesity is driving health costs into the stratosphere. 2) Malpractice. Make the grand bargain and get rid of punitive damages as well as making nuisance suits hard to succeed. In return, require every state medical society to take doctor discipline seriously and centrally report to a national clearing house all health care professional malpractice with severe penalties for failing that.

Perhaps if Congress was stripped of ITS health coverage until universal coverage was adopted, we would see much faster progress.

Without the public-option or aggressive price controls it is not likely health care reform will reduce costs. It will most likely increase the cost for the government and prices for the average American.

I have to question why Obama is so free with taxpayer money and so willing to hand the private insurance industry a bonanza.

For the past year the president has received little help for the Congressional Democrats and since the first of the year they appear to be unwilling to help themselves. They have had multiple opportunities to take control of the message but have no interest in doing so. It is real simply, the Congressional Dems will get on the same page, take to the airwaves and speak truth to lies loudly, crisply and repetitively or they best be updating their resumes.

I heard someone say in the past few days that the House Dems consider the House GOP the opposition but the corrupt, dysfunctional Senate the enemy. Whereas I am inclined to agree with them, pouting isn't going to work.

By the way, after admitting to Medicaid fraud, Tom Coburn probably knows quite a bit about waste, fraud and corruption in the healthcare industry.

I don't think Obama belongs under winners or losers. From the parts I watched, his job was to be the referee for the event. Yeah, he had his viewpoints and stated them, but for the most part, he was the moderator. I think his best moment was at the start when he refuted Alexander's nonsense.

I think John Boehner belonged under losers for the same reason McCain did. He just came across as petulant. I did catch the part where Obama complimented McCain and McCain just kind of stopped dead in his tracks not knowing what to say.

I'm kind of wondering where to put Durbin's statement. I thought it was very heartfelt, but perhaps kind of wussy and cheesy depending on who you are. Rockafeller had his intense diatribe against insurance companies. Not sure if that was a winner or loser either.

I do think the Republicans had an advantage going into the meeting since they actually had a developed plan to attack. Republicans have ideas, but no hashed out details, so it's hard to go after the ideas. That's what made Coburn so successful.

I'm not sure how the public viewed it. I think Republicans did a little better, but I always seem to think that, but polls usually disagree with me. I don't think any minds got changed, though.

@amazd:
>>"Anybody notice the Republicans came prepared with facts and figures..."

Wow, its so cool that you're impressed with Repubs talking facts and figures! Actually, these are things I'd expect AND FIND that are BASIC in my Democratic representatives and senators. Obviously, you don't, which is sad, but not unusual.

But, your low expectations of Repubs is fully justified

Fearless (but dumb) leader John Bohner wisely deferred to that congressman, because he made the foolish remark that Medical Malpractice is the most important cost driver of healthcare, while the CBO stated that it would only reduce costs by ... a whopping ZERO point TWO percent!
Why, that's almost as dumb as stating that CO2 is never a problem because it does not cause cancer!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QViMRO0WAqg

Seriously, Texas has the severe malpractice caps, but in the Texan town of McAllen, the average cost of healthcare is THREE times the national average. So that dog won't hunt.

And you don't like sob stories? Then please stop cheering whiny stories about how your nonexistent grand kids are gonna have to pay for it all! At least Dems are talking about the needs of people today, not in some mythical future.

Today was another lesson for John McCain,John Boehber and Mitch McConnell,you are not intelligent enough to tangle with the President. I'm sure most of you noticed that in closing the President spoke for yet he had all of the facts--yet some republicans have in the past said he can't say anything without a tele prompter that's how little they know.

This, of course, is the OFFICIAL WH version of events (you didn't expect anything else from the Lame Stream Media, did you?) For the TRUTH, please go to the MOST TRUSTED NEWS SOURCE, according to the PPP survey of Jan 2010, FOX NEWS.

You gotta love the comments here that excoriate Obama for not being a tough guy today. What, in heaven's name, do you guys think your preferred presidential model would do: demand his preferred plan? Scream? Yell? Throw shoes? Lordy, he's the president, not a strongman dictator, which is your apparent preferred model.

Obama succeeded in what was surely his mission: he presented clear command of facts, he moderated a debate of powerful interests, and he demonstrated his sincere interest (and the lack thereof among others) in finding real solutions to the problems.

I agree with Chris' assessment of who came out looking good and who didn't; and that ultimately was the only real purpose of the meeting.

Republicans would raise practical details about the Senate Bill, the costs, the consequences. All I saw was Obama glowering in reply or dipsh*ts like Louise Slaughter offering nonsense like "there are old ladies re-using dead-people's dentures!"

I generally agree with the Fix. McCain was in his "old man yells at cloud" mode...Ryan was good and the comeback from Bacerra(?) was also good. The GOP had scripted their "first 20 plays". They were prepared. The Dems were not. The difference here was Obama. He can roll out of his bed and talk about healthcare reform. He was clearly the most informed person in the room and he was not letting any false assertions get by, unchallenged.

The corporate media is the the elephant in the debate!They stand to lose billions in advertising revenue if a single payer health plan was passed ! No more ads "Ask your Doctor"This is why the media gave more air and print time to the "Lies,pulling the plug on Granny,and losing your insurance!" The corporate media has sentenced thousands to an early death for corporate profits

Funny -- the Post's title for this on the main page indicated Obama spent all day dunking on his overmatched Republican adversaries, when the reality appears to be much more even -- and possibly even tilted a bit towards the conservatives. Did you have the title written up a few days ago and just not bother changing it?

Republicans did their homework and were well prepared. Democrats told a lot of stories. I believe Nancy Pelosi lied about the abortion issue. Why would B. Stupek (D) from MI still be on the talk shows trying to get rid of it in the health care bill.

Anybody notice the Republicans came prepared with facts and figures, while the Dems, Obama included, resorted to emotional and sad stories. I was especially impressed with the story about the lady wearing her dead sisters false teeth--as if even Medicare provided dental insurance.

@jnorow & leapin I watched the whole thing and I have to say Obama did well. In fact he did a great job. Coburn was the only Republican who came with some real answers. McCain was right on with the deals cut, but he should have been less partisan and more genuine in his address of the issue then he would not have looked bewildered when Obama agreed. Everyone else was just queuing off talking points. To use a metaphor, the Boy Who Cried Wolf is what comes to mind. I can't take them seriously if that's all they have to say every time they speak.

Wow! Is that innovative or what? That may be the first time in my whole life that any politician thought we should cut out the waste and fraud.

I'm writing that down in my journal .. "Cut waste and fraud." ...

Speaking of waste and fraud. I think it would have been a great idea to have invited former President Bush [43]. 8 years in the Oval Office, I'm sure he would have brought some invaluable thinking to the table.

The "health care summit" was a sham - "After a brief period of consultation following the White House health reform summit, congressional Democrats plan to begin making the case next week for a massive, Democrats-only health care plan, party strategists told POLITICO."

After a brief period of consultation following the White House health reform summit, congressional Democrats plan to begin making the case next week for a massive, Democrats-only health care plan, party strategists told POLITICO.

A Democratic official said the six-hour summit was expected to “give a face to gridlock, in the form of House and Senate Republicans.”

Democrats plan to begin rhetorical, and perhaps legislative, steps toward the Democrats-only, or reconciliation, process early next week, the strategists said.

After the summit, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to take the temperature of their caucuses.

“The point [of the summit] is to alter the political atmospherics, and it will take a day or two to sense if it succeeded,” the official said.

Positive statements by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) of late “are early signs the environment is already shifting a little in favor of revisiting health care.”

Democrats plan to take up the president’s comprehensive, $950 billion plan — referred to on the Hill as “the big bill.” The alternative would be a smaller — or “skinny” — bill that would provide less coverage and cost less. But that would amount to starting the complex process over.

“It’s probably the big bill or nothing,” said a top Democratic aide. “If we don’t get the big bill, I am sure some will push for a skinny bill.”

An e-mail from a House Democratic leadership aide gives a sense of the party’s post-summit message.

“The president walked into a room filled with the entire House Republican Conference. There were no preconditions, his only request was that it be open to the press so that the American people could see the exchange,” the aide e-mailed. “He answered every question with a thoughtful, comprehensive response. He spoke for over an hour and discussed substantive policy issues.

“The president never once worried about it being a trap. He didn’t cry about the room set-up. His conduct reflected someone who was confident in his ideas, respectful of the other side, and not afraid to debate important issues. ... Some Republicans have insulted the summit by calling it a set-up or a taxpayer-funded infomercial. Now we learn they have spent several weeks organizing a rapid-response operation.”

A House Republican aide said this would be the party’s post-summit message: "Americans want to scrap the Democrats' massive bill and start over with clean sheet of paper to work on step-by-step, common-sense reforms that lower health care costs."

I would add that women were on the losers list -- only five women were invited to participate in the discussion. Women are the ones who often make the health care decisions and our women senators and representatives were the leading voices in the fight for health care equality. It is an extreme oversight by both the WH and congressional leadership.

Have to admit I was surprised to see that Senator Coburn appeared markedly less partisan than many of his Senate Republican colleagues. He and the President seem to have a genuine personal affection for each other. Coburn may not be as much of a right-wing wack-job as I always had suspected. He was much more valuable to the dicussion than was lightweight Boehner.

While I largely agree with The Fix' assessments, I would suggest that Senators Harkin and Dodd should have been acknowledged somehow for really crystallizing why Health Care is not a policy area where the incremental, piecemeal approach is going to work to solve all aspects of the problem, and focusing on the profound partisan political and philosophical differences on the coverage issue. President Obama repeatedly later referred to the remarks by Harkin and Dodd as capturing the issues effectively.

"Later, McCain hit Obama again for the special carve out for Florida in the health care bill. Obama agreed with the McCain critique, a move that caught the Arizona Republican off guard and left him speechless."

Again Obama diffuses the criticism with talk but will provide no corrective action.
Follow the actions not the words.

Chris if the meeting was as unusally boring as your report was to read...it must have been a snozer...sorry but your report really lacked content other than your need to high five the president who didn't do all that great. O'bama is really to much a community organizer type guy and not a firm leader like we need....it was obvious today.